[Etiology and prevention of pelvic injuries in traffic accidents].

With hospitalized traffic accident victimes fractures of the pelvis are not very frequent (4-10%). Fatal cases show a higher fracture incidence (20-25%). Pedestrains are with regard to pelvic fractures twice as frequently affected as other road users. Pedestrians over 60 years of age are most often involved. Modifications of the car front structure are expected to lead to significant improvements for the unprotected road user. Seat belts are capable of reducing pelvic fracture with car occupants only in certain frontal collisions. However, the geometry of the lap belt portion is of importance for the overall effectiveness of the belt system.