Causes and control of spinal cord injury in automotive crashes.

This paper provides a history of automotive safety and a review of biomedical research on human tolerance and occupant protection. It discusses current understanding of body kinematics and impact biomechanics that result in neck injury. Perspective is given on the linkage between mechanical forces that are the cause and physiologic disruptions that are the consequence of spinal cord injury. The public health aspects of injury and disability are discussed as well as the need for injury prevention.