Restraints - new technologies

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Seat belts and child restraints work with other vehicle developments such as airbags and car crumple zones to absorb the impact of a crash. Researchers are currently working on new technologies such as seat belt reminder systems and driver headbands. However none of these replace seat belts.

1. Seat belt reminder systems
More manufacturers are introducing devices to remind vehicle occupants to fasten their seat belts. These devices usually involve a flashing light or audible warning or a combination of both.

Compared with their potential benefits, seat belt reminder systems are relatively inexpensive to install. Australian research indicated that the cost ranges from about $10 to about $150.

2. Airbags
Airbags are meant to be used in combination with seat belts. The idea of a rapidly inflatable cushion to prevent crash-related injuries was first developed for the crash-landing of aircraft during World War II but the technology was only introduced into vehicles in the 1980s.

How do they work?

• The driver airbag is located in the hub of the steering wheel.
• The passenger airbag is usually in the dashboard above the glove compartment.
• Side airbags and side curtain airbags are being introduced in some vehicles. Side airbags are in the door panel or seat, and curtain side airbags are located above the side doors.

During impact, sensors in the vehicle detect sudden deceleration. If the crash is bad enough, there is a flow of electricity to the inflator, which lights the gas generator.

The airbag opens in a few milliseconds – faster than the eye can blink, in the space between the occupant and the steering wheel, dashboard or doors. The bag then deflates quickly by allowing the gas to escape through vent holes or through the weave of the fabric, absorbing the energy of the occupant while this occurs.

If your car has an air bag

• Read the owner’s manual to understand the operation of the vehicle’s air bag system.
• If the steering wheel can be tilted, position it so that the air bag will deploy towards the chest and not the head.
• Drivers should be positioned at least 30 centimeters (1 foot) from the airbag by adjusting the seat. Front passenger seat occupants should move the seat as far back as possible.

3. Headbands
Research demonstrates that headwear in the form of bicycle-style helmets or padded headbands (see below) would be almost as effective in reducing head and brain injuries as driver airbags and at a fraction of the cost.

How do they work?
They could be of most benefit for users of older vehicles that are not equipped with the latest safety devices, but would provide additional protection even for drivers of cars equipped with airbags.

While full helmets would approach the ideal form of occupant head protection, specially designed headbands could provide a practical alternative. Protective headbands would offer about half the total benefits of a full helmet.

Other Important Information
Much of this information was taken from:
Australian Transport Safety Bureau. (2004). Road Safety in Australia (A Publication Commemorating World Health Day 2004). Canberra: ATSB