Motor Vehicle Occupants, Neck Injuries, and Seat Belt Utilization: A 5-Year Study of Fatalities in New York City

• NCJ Number: 230737
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2010 Pages: 527-530
• Author(s): Anthony Sgarlato, M.D.; Stephen J. deRoux, M.D.
• Date Published: March 2010
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Despite the implementation of numerous safety devices in automobiles, vehicular occupant fatalities following collisions remain common. This study reviewed all fatalities of vehicular occupants in New York City over a 5-year period on whom autopsies were performed (437) to determine the incidence of neck injuries and correlate them with seat belt utilization.

Abstract

The study found that 26.5 percent had neck injuries (mild to severe) and only 10.3 percent of these occupants were confirmed to be wearing seatbelts. Of those that had documentation of seat belt utilization there were twice as many neck injuries in the unbelted group. The study highlights two cases of submarining with severe neck injuries that were related to automatic 2-point shoulder harness restraints without engagement of the lap belt. Table, figures, and references (Published Abstract)