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. 1970 Feb 28;102(4):391–393.

The Value of Safety Belts: A Review

N J Hodson-Walker
PMCID: PMC1946486  PMID: 4905861

Abstract

The literature is reviewed to ascertain the values and dangers of safety belts. They are said to reduce the risk of major or fatal injury in impacts by nearly 60%. An incidence of abdominal trauma of the order of 0.5% is ascribed to the safety belt, and in addition there is a low incidence of a specific type of spinal fracture. The safety belt has not been shown to make injuries worse, and in causing injuries of its own has prevented more serious ones. The design of the safety belt is discussed; the three-point (lap-and-diagonal) belt is probably the best type for automobiles currently available. Recent research suggests that more sophisticated restraint systems may make survival possible in very severe impacts.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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