Kinematics of inboard-leaning occupants in frontal impacts.

Conclusions: The posture-induced increase in the distance between the D-ring and the shoulder permitted the increased maximum forward head displacement and increased maximum head resultant velocity relative to the vehicle interior. Thus, an initial inboard lean in a frontal impact may increase the risk and severity of a head strike to the vehicle interior, and alter the location, timing, and nature of airbag engagement.
PMID: 32315202 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Traffic Injury Prevention - April 20, 2020 Category: Accident Prevention Authors: Donlon JP, Richardson R, Jayathirtha M, Forman J, Kerrigan J, Kent R, Arbogast KB, Maripudi V, Scavnicky M Tags: Traffic Inj Prev Source Type: research