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This study presents some results from a case-control study of crashed vehicles equipped with Australian airbag technology (Supplementary Restraint Systems). Vehicles were inspected and occupants interviewed according to the National Accident Sampling System (NASS). Data were available for 383 belted drivers involved in frontal crashes including 253 drivers in airbag-equipped vehicles and 130 drivers in non-airbag vehicles. The analysis revealed reductions in the numbers of injuries to the head, face, chest and neck in the airbag-equipped vehicles although the numbers of upper extremity injuries increased. At higher injury severities (AIS2+) reductions were also observed in injuries to the head, face, neck and chest. Further analysis using Harm as an outcome measure found that the mean Harm per driver (in terms of $AUD) were 60% greater in the non-airbag vehicles compared with the airbag-equipped vehicles.

An in-depth analysis of 200 Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) 2+ injuries to the lower extremity in frontal collisions has been performed using impairment scales devised by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. The most important subgroup of injuries were identified as ankle/hindfoot injuries. There were 63 such injuries sustained by 53 occupants and these were analyzed in greater depth. Inversion or eversion was identified as the mechanism of injury for 40 % of injuries. However in 70% of these fractures caused by inversion or eversion, minimal or no long term impairment would be expected Injuries associated with significant long-term impairment were attributed to axial forces (i.e. loads perpendicular to the foot). Combined vehicle/injury analysis demonstrated a strong association between toe-pan intrusion and these injuries. Interaction between the occupant and the pedals was identified as a probable injury source in only 25% of injuries to the ankle and hindfoot.