Effect of ESC (electronic stability control) on tree and pole impacts with focus on rear impacts.

Objective: The effect of ESC (Electronic Stability Control) was investigated for the rate of crash exposure, serious injury and fatality in pole and tree impacts. Field data was analyzed by crash type (front, side, rear and rollover) and model year (MY) before, during and after the implementation of ESC.

Methods: The number of pole and tree impacts was determined for four groups of vehicle model years (MY): 1981-1989 MY and 1990-2002 MY before the introduction of ESC, 2003-2009 during the phase-in of ESC and 2010-2020 MY after essentially all vehicles were equipped with ESC.

Serious-to-fatal injury to second-row occupants in rear impacts using 1994-2020 field data.

Objective: Serious-to-fatal injury was analyzed for second-row children aged 0-14 years and adults aged 15 and older in rear impacts by body region, restraint use, and injury mechanism using field data collected by NHTSA.

Method: 1994-2015 NASS-CDS and 2017-2020 CISS data were used to investigate the rate for Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) 3 + F injury in rear crashes involving 1994+ model year vehicles. All second-row occupants were included, irrespective of restraint use and ejection status.

The effect of seatback deformation on out-of-position front-seat occupants in severe rear impacts.

Objective: This study assesses the effects of seat deflection in severe oblique rear impacts with laterally out-of-position ATDs where the head is not supported by the head restraint.

Method: Six high-speed rear sled tests were conducted at 48 km/h with a 195 degree PDOF. A lap-shoulder belted 50th percentile Hybrid III ATD was leaned inboard and seated in six different front passenger seats (A-F); five of the seats were selected from mid-sized sedans and one was a non-production rigidified Seat Integrated Restraint (SIR) seat.

Size and age of fatal drivers by crash type, vehicle type and gender.

The objective of this study was to determine the physical characteristics of fatal drivers in motor vehicle crashes with focus on rear impacts. 1998 to 2020 FARS data was analyzed for height, weight, and age of fatal drivers. The data was queried by gender, crash type and vehicle type.

Quasi-static methods to evaluate seat strength in rear impacts.

Objective: Various methods have been used in the past 50 years to apply Quasi-static load to a seat in the rear direction and measure seat performance in rear impacts. This study compared five of the most-common test procedures to evaluate seats. In addition, occupant mass and center of gravity are discussed as important characteristics of rear loading of seats.

Fetal deaths and maternal injury in motor-vehicle crashes using NASS-CDS and CISS field data.

Objective: This study determined the risk for fetal death and maternal injury in the same sample of motor-vehicle crashes. The frequency and risk of serious injury (MAIS 3 + F) were also assessed by sex, pregnancy, seating position and crash type.

Method: The 2008-2015 NASS-CDS and 2017-2020 CISS are representative samples that were analyzed for the risk of fetal death and the risk of maternal injury grouped by MAIS 0-2, MAIS 3 + F and death (F) in 2000+ model year (MY) light vehicles.

Basilar, skull and facial fractures in 2 row occupants by crash type with a focus on side and rear impacts.

Objective: Field data was analyzed to assess the risk of basilar, skull and facial fractures in 2 row occupants by crash type. The study determined the rate of fractures in seriously injured (MAIS 3 + F) occupants to establish priorities for 2 row occupant safety.

Methods: Field accident data on seriously injured (MAIS 3+) occupants was determined using 1993-2015 NASS-CDS and 2017-19 CISS by crash type identified with damage area variables for non-ejected occupants in the 2 row.

Significance of tractor-trailer impacts to the rear of light vehicles.

Objective: This study determined the type of striking vehicle or object associated with serious injury to at least 1 occupant in the vehicle struck in the rear.

Method: The 1990-2015 NASS-CDS was analyzed for light vehicles involved in rear crashes. The type of vehicle struck in the rear resulting in serious injury to at least 1 occupant was determined.

Evaluations of pretensioner activation in rear impacts.

Objective: Occupant kinematics and biomechanical responses are assessed with and without pretensioning of normally seated and out-of-position front-seat occupants in rear sled tests. The results are compared to recent studies.

Methods: Three series of rear sled tests were conducted at 24 and 40 km/h with a 2001 Ford Taurus.

Change in seating position of children in towaway crashes from 1989 to 2019.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the nationwide response to passenger airbag (PA) related deaths of children. The response was implemented in 1996 and focused on moving children to rear seats. This study determined the change in seating position of children from 1989 to 2019.

Influence of retractor and anchor pretensioning on dummy responses in 40 km/h rear sled tests.

Objective: This study compared dummy kinematics and biomechanical responses with and without retractor pretensioning in a severe rear sled test. It compliments an earlier study with buckle pretensioning.

Methods: Three rear tests were run at 40 km/h (25 mph) delta V with a lap-shoulder belted Hybrid III 50 male dummy on a 2013-18 Ford Escape driver seat and belt restraint.

Prevalence of spine degeneration diagnosis by type, age, gender, and obesity using Medicare data.

Identifying the prevalence of degenerative spinal pathologies and relevant demographic risk factors is important for understanding spine injury risk, prevention, treatment, and outcome, and for distinguishing acute injuries from degenerative pathologies. Prevalence data in the literature are often based on small-scale studies focused on a single type of pathology. This study evaluates the prevalence of diagnosis of selected degenerative spinal pathology diagnoses using Medicare insurance claim data in the context of published smaller-scale studies.

Rear-seat occupant demographics in rear impacts: Analysis of NASS-CDS.

Purpose: This study analyzes field accidents to identify rear-occupant exposure and injury by crash types. Occupant demographics and injury were assessed by body region and crash severity to understand rear-occupant injury mechanisms in rear crashes.

Methods: The exposure and serious-to-fatal injury was determined by crash type for non-ejected second- and third- row occupants in 1994+ MY vehicles using 1994-2015 NASS-CDS.

Effect of ABTS and conventional seats on occupant injury in rear impacts: Analysis of field and test data.

Purpose: This study addressed the potential effect of higher seat stiffness with ABTS (All-Belt-to-Seat) compared to conventional seats in rear impacts. It analyzed field accidents and sled tests over a wide range in delta V and estimated the change in number of injured occupants if front-seats were replaced with stiffer ABTS.

Methods: The rear-impact exposures and serious-to-fatal injury rates were determined for 15+ year old non-ejected drivers and right-front passengers in 1994+ model year vehicles using 1994-2015 NASS-CDS.

Second-row occupant responses with and without intrusion in rear sled and crash tests.

Purpose: Intrusion of the occupant compartment increases the risks for severe injury and death. This study analyzes rear sled and crash tests with an instrumented second-row Hybrid III 5 percentile anthropometric test device (ATD) to assess occupant kinematics and biomechanical responses with and without intrusion of the second-row seatback.

Methods: Three sled tests and four crash tests were conducted with a 1993 Ford Taurus and a belted 5 female ATD seated behind a belted 50 male ATD on the right-side of the vehicle.

Rollover injury in vehicles with high-strength-to-weight ratio (SWR) roofs, curtain and side airbags, and other safety improvements.

Purpose: This study investigated trends in severe injury and ejection in rollover crashes involving lap-shoulder-belted drivers and right-front passengers. It was conducted because of changes in 2009 to consumer information programs and regulations related to rollover protection. The data are presented by model year (MY) of the vehicle in groups from 1995 to 2016.

Severe injury in multiple impacts: Analysis of 1997-2015 NASS-CDS.

Purpose: This is a descriptive study of the incidence and risk for severe injury in single-impact and multi-impact crashes by belt use and crash type using NASS-CDS.

Methods: 1997-2015 NASS-CDS data were used to determine the distribution of crashes by the number of impacts and severe injury (Maximum Abbreviated Injury Score [MAIS] 4+F) to >15-year-old nonejected drivers by seat belt use in 1997+ MY vehicles. It compares the risk for severe injury in a single impact and in crashes involving 2, 3, or 4+ impacts in the collision with a focus on a frontal crash followed by other impacts.

Thoracic and lumbar spine responses in high-speed rear sled tests.

Objective: This study analyzed thoracic and lumbar spine responses with in-position and out-of-position (OOP) seated dummies in 40.2 km/h (25 mph) rear sled tests with conventional and all-belts-to-seat (ABTS) seats. Occupant kinematics and spinal responses were determined with modern (≥2000 MY), older (<2000 MY), and ABTS seats.

Driver injury in near- and far-side impacts: Update on the effect of front passenger belt use.

Purpose: This is a study that updates earlier research on the influence of a front passenger on the risk for severe driver injury in near-side and far-side impacts. It includes the effects of belt use by the driver and passenger, identifies body regions involved in driver injury, and identifies the sources for severe driver head injury.

Methods: 1997-2015 NASS-CDS data were used to investigate the risk for Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) 4 + F driver injury in near-side and far-side impacts by front passenger belt use and as a sole occupant in the driver seat.

Belted driver fatalities: Time of death and risk by injury severity.

Purpose: This is a descriptive study of the fatality risk by injury severity and time of death for lap-shoulder-belted drivers without ejection in modern vehicles. It also determined the body region for severe injuries experienced by belted drivers using the most recent federal crash data.

Methods: 1997-2015 NASS-CDS data were evaluated for fatally injured lap-shoulder-belted drivers without ejection in light vehicles of 1997+ model year (MY).

Occupant responses in conventional and ABTS seats in high-speed rear sled tests.

Objective: This study compared biomechanical responses of a normally seated Hybrid III dummy on conventional and all belts to seat (ABTS) seats in 40.2 km/h (25 mph) rear sled tests. It determined the difference in performance with modern (≥2000 MY) seats compared to older (<2000 MY) seats and ABTS seats.

Driver and front passenger injury in frontal crashes: Update on the effect of unbelted rear occupants.

Purpose: This is a study of the influence of an unbelted rear occupant on the risk of severe injury to the front seat occupant ahead of them in frontal crashes. It provides an update to earlier studies.

Methods: 1997-2015 NASS-CDS data were used to investigate the risk for severe injury (Maximum Abbreviated Injury Score [MAIS] 4+F) to belted drivers and front passengers in frontal crashes by the presence of a belted or unbelted passenger seated directly behind them or without a rear passenger.

Brainstem injury in motor vehicle crashes.

Objective: This is a descriptive study of the frequency and risk for brainstem injury by crash type, belt use, and crash severity (delta-V). NASS-CDS electronic cases were reviewed to see whether the transition from vehicles without advanced airbags and seat belts and side airbags and curtains to vehicles with the safety technologies has influenced the risk for brainstem injury.

Methods: 1994-2013 NASS-CDS was analyzed to determine the number of brainstem injuries in nonejected adults (15+ years old) in vehicle crashes.

Occupant-to-occupant contact injury in motor vehicle crashes.

Objective: This is a descriptive study of the frequency and risk of occupant-to-occupant contact injury by crash type and occupant age. It focused on rear impacts because of a recent Senate inquiry.

Methods: 1994-2013 NASS-CDS data were used to investigate the effects of occupant-to-occupant contact on the risk of serious-to-fatal injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] 3+) by crash type and age group.

Head injuries (TBI) to adults and children in motor vehicle crashes.

Purpose: This is a descriptive study. It determined the annual, national incidence of head injuries (traumatic brain injury, TBI) to adults and children in motor vehicle crashes. It evaluated NASS-CDS for exposure and incidence of various head injuries in towaway crashes.