Effectiveness of Automatic Shoulder Belt Systems in Motor Vehicle Crashes

Abstract
Various strategies have been developed to improve motor vehicle occupant protection, including an automatic shoulder belt, combined with a manual lap belt or a knee bolster. Since 1987, more than 27 million cars have been manufactured with automatic 2-point belt systems1 and more than 10 million are still in use.2 Studies have found that drivers do not use the manual lap belt 50% to 71% of the time.3-5 Prior studies examining the effectiveness of automatic systems have produced conflicting estimates.6,7 Numerous studies also report injuries from use of the shoulder harness alone.8-13

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