Effect of seat belts on injuries to front and rear seat passengers. Issue 6482 (1st June 1985)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wild, B R; Kenwright, J; Rastogi, S
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 290:Issue 6482(1985)
• Page Start: 1621
• Page End: 1623
• Publication Date: 1985-06-01
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.290.6482.1621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Data on 2520 occupants of cars involved in accidents were analysed in relation to injury and the severity of the crash to investigate the effect of rear seat passengers on injury to restrained and unrestrained front seat occupants and vice versa. Unrestrained front seat occupants showed a higher incidence of serious injury when there were rear seat passengers. The presence of a rear seat passenger did not affect significantly the overall incidence of injury among restrained front seat occupants within the range of crash severity considered. Unrestrained rear seat passengers behind unrestrained front seat occupants showed a higher incidence of moderate injury and a lower incidence of no injury than those behind restrained front seat occupants. It is concluded that legislation on seat belts has not greatly increased the risk of person to person injury.