Over the past few decades, cars have become increasingly safer. However, not all groups of people enjoy this benefit equally. Researchers at the Institute for Vehicle Safety at the Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) analyzed Austrian accident data from 2012 to 2024 and reconstructed individual accidents in detail. The results of this study show that when two occupants of different genders are in a car, women are significantly more likely to be injured than men. Specifically, the risk of injury is 1.6 times higher.
Same speed, more severe consequences
Female occupants are significantly more seriously injured than male occupants, even at low crash speeds. In such cases, the risk of serious injury or death more than doubles. “Our analysis shows that women suffer disproportionately more injuries, especially to the chest, spine, arms and legs,” says Corinna Klug, project coordinator at the Institute for Vehicle Safety at Graz University of Technology. The higher risk of injury for women is particularly pronounced in the 50 and older age group.
In this study, a real accident was reconstructed and simulated using a virtual human model in different sitting positions. This has made it possible to objectively compare the stress that affects the bodies of women and men. In addition to women having a significantly higher risk of injury, research has shown that passenger-side seating position has a significant impact on injury risk. This applies to both women and men, but women are more likely to be in the passenger seat than men.
You’ve probably seen the passenger seat placed far back or reclined. However, airbags and seat belts are not designed for such non-standard positions. ”
corrina claug
The good news is that the consumer protection organization (Euro NCAP) has already taken up this issue and has been carrying out tests on both dummies and human models in different seating positions since the beginning of this year.
“Women are not little men”
It is clear that improvements need to be made when it comes to the safety of women in cars. For decades, the 50th percentile of men, or the statistical “average man,” has been defined as the global standard of safety. This man’s standard figure is deeply rooted in historically evolved vehicle approval procedures and continues to shape testing methods today. Models that accommodate the average male body type are primarily used for vehicle approval procedures. Even the so-called “female” dummy is simply a miniature version of the male model, even a very petite woman. 95 percent of women are taller and heavier than this reference point. This also applies to the improved dummies currently being considered for use. Certain anatomical characteristics of the average woman, such as pelvic width, chest circumference, and shoulder shape, are currently not realistically represented by frontal or side impact dummies. Currently, the only thing prepared in case of a rear-end collision is an average female dummy. These were developed as part of an EU project. But they are not used yet.
Therefore, biomechanical differences are rarely considered methodologically, limiting the extrapolation of test results to women’s actual injury risk. “Women are not small men, and very small and petite female models are often unable to represent what is observed in accidents,” Corinna Klug summarizes.
Clear recommendations: intelligent safety systems, more realistic testing
Graz University of Technology has drawn clear recommendations from this study. Safety systems such as seat belts and airbags need to become more intelligent. So-called adaptive belt force limiters limit the strength with which belts restrain people in the event of a collision, automatically adapting these forces to the severity of the accident, occupant size and sitting position. To make such systems available to more vehicles, they need to be evaluated from a consumer protection perspective and, ideally, in vehicle approval procedures as well. More realistic tests are also needed. Future approval procedures will need to provide for different body types and more realistic seating positions. “A biomechanically realistic virtual human body model is the key element here. Using computer simulations, we can significantly expand testing procedures that have historically been male-centered and rigorous,” says Corinna Klug. The virtual model will not only be able to simulate different body shapes, but will also be able to analyze different seating positions within the vehicle without additional testing in a crash laboratory.
Correct positioning of the belt
An often underestimated factor is the position of the belt on the body and the friction between the person inside the car and the seat or belt. Thick winter jackets and blankets interfere with the transmission of force, allowing your body to slip under the belt in the event of an impact. This so-called “submarine” can lead to serious internal damage, as the belt acts on areas of weak soft tissue rather than the stable pelvic bone. “In addition to design measures to ensure that a safe seating position is also a comfortable seating position, we need further information on correct seat adjustment and belt position,” Corinna Klug emphasizes. “It’s important not to sit too far back, keep your back straight and position your belts so that the lap belt passes over your pelvis and the shoulder belt over your collarbone. This is the best way for the restraint system to do its job and slow you down as slowly as possible in the event of an accident.”
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Graz University of Technology
