Seat Belts and Airbags a Necessary Combination in Preventing Deadly Car Accidents, Severe Trauma

CHICAGO, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Fastening a seat belt while driving has become second nature to many U.S. motorists, and driver and passenger airbags have been required in vehicles manufactured since 1998 as an additional safety mechanism. Yet, 56 percent of Americans killed in passenger vehicle crashes in 2003 were not wearing a seatbelt. The use of seatbelts in conjunction with airbag deployment significantly reduces mortality, according to a study presented today at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' (AAOS) 73rd Annual Meeting. However, the research data show certain demographic groups -- such as Caucasians and males -- are more likely to die from motor vehicle collisions, even with seatbelt use and airbag deployment.

Deadly motor vehicle crashes have steadily declined over the last 30 years, and reached an all-time low in 2003 of 1.48 deaths per 100 million miles of vehicle travel, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, likely attributed to in-vehicle safety restraint use. Justin S. Cummins, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, and a team of researchers conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of vehicle safety devices -- specifically seat belts and airbags -- in reducing mortality and injury severity.

"Our research confirmed the use of a seatbelt along with airbag deployment provided a 63 percent reduction in mortality, as well as a significant reduction in severe injuries," explained Dr. Cummins. "Using a seatbelt alone nearly halved the risk of death, and airbag deployment alone reduced mortality by more than one-third."

The researchers analyzed National Trauma Data Bank statistics on 184,992 patients (56 percent male, 44 percent female) of various ethnicities involved in single- and multiple-vehicle collisions from 1998 to 2004, assessing the restraint use of each patient. The levels of restraint were classified as seatbelt use, airbag deployment and the use of both of these devices. Of these patients, the majority used at least one safety restraint device -- seat belt only, 46.3 percent; airbag only, 3.78 percent; and seat belt and airbag, 8.91 percent - yet 40.9 percent used no device at all. Patients over age 65 were more likely than those ages 16-64 to use seatbelts (57 percent vs. 44 percent) and seatbelts plus airbags (13 percent vs. 8.6 percent).

Males were less likely to use seatbelts alone or seatbelts with airbags compared to females. This may explain why females were significantly less likely to die as well as have significantly less risk of sustaining severe or very severe injuries. According to Dr. Cummins, the greatest surprise was his team's finding that while safety restraint use was similar among the different racial groups, the vehicle occupants classified as "white" had a 50 percent increased risk of death and a significantly higher incidence of severe injury than all other racial groups.

The researchers noted this substantial racial disparity does warrant additional study to confirm a true difference, and to help identify a particular demographic population to target with public health messages aimed at improving driver safety and vehicle restraint use. In further study, they would also suggest access to vehicle crash scene data, in addition to hospital data, for a more thorough assessment. However, the study's overall finding -- that mortality was decreased from nearly 6 percent when no restraint devices are used to just over 2 percent with the use of seatbelts and airbag deployment -- is a clear call to action.

"As orthopaedic surgeons who play a key role in preventing motor vehicle trauma -- as well as treating its victims -- we strongly urge all drivers and passengers, including those in the back seat, to wear seatbelts at all times," stressed Dr. Cummins.

There was no external funding for this study.

The AAOS has a position statement on safety belts and other motor vehicle occupant restraints, stating that all motorists should be required by law to wear seatbelts and endorsing the use of airbags as an adjunct to safety belts.

An orthopaedic surgeon is a physician with extensive training in the diagnosis and non-surgical as well as surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.

With more than 29,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ( http://www.aaos.org/ ) or ( http://www.orthoinfo.org/ ) is the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions the interests of patients and advances the highest quality musculoskeletal health. Orthopaedic surgeons and the Academy are the authoritative sources of information for patients and the general public on musculoskeletal conditions, treatments and related issues. An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade ( http://www.usbjd.org/ ) -- the global initiative in the years 2002-2011 -- to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life. The Academy's Annual Meeting is being held March 22-26, 2006 at McCormick Place in Chicago.