Aspects of injury patterns in automobile accidents.

During the period June 1971 to June 1973, the injuries of 34,378 persons involved in accidents attended by ambulance officers, and treated by hospitals, together with the injuries received by 1,699 victims investigated by coroners, were analysed. Clear-out injury patterns emerged for different types of road users. Pedestrians in general suffered injuries of greater severity than cyclists, who in turn had injuries of greater severity than vehicle occupants. The extent to which car occupant injury patterns are modified by seat belts is demonstrated. Injuries suffered by the wearers of seat belts occur less frequently, and are less severe, less likely to prove fatal, and less likely to cause long stays in hospitals.