Considering the elderly in the development of Canadian motor vehicle safety standards.

摘要

This study utilized different collision datasets collected by the Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate of Transport Canada to develop a better understanding of injury outcomes of elderly occupants. The focus of the study was a comparative analysis of injuries sustained by the elderly versus both their younger counterparts and small-statured females in similar collisions. Restrained frontal occupants only were considered.; A primary objective of the study was to develop a better understanding of the impact that air bags have had in reducing or exacerbating injuries among the elderly. Elderly persons were delineated as those persons 65 years of age or older. The data for those occupants aged 14 to 64 years were used as a benchmark to highlight where elderly injuries are over-represented. Detailed analyses of maximum and average injury scores sustained among elderly and younger aged occupants involved in motor vehicle collisions of various severities were performed. Furthermore, injury patterns were contrasted to identify regions where the aged have been shown to be particularly vulnerable. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)