REGION 3 STATES
Dead or Alive Crashcar Presentation

 

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS PROGRAM AREA(S)
  Innovative or non-traditional approach   Buckle Up America
       
TYPE OF JURISDICTION    
  Multi-jurisdictional    
       
TARGETED POPULATION(S) JURISDICTION SIZE
  General Population   27,005,487


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
The states served by the Region 3 office of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) include Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. During the past five years, these states have experienced tremendous population growth, adding significantly to the traffic volume on highways throughout the region. The number of fatal and injury motor vehicle crashes occurring annually has also increased, while the rate of seat belt use has remained below the national average in some Region 3 states. Through its Buckle Up America! Campaign, NHTSA aims to reduce deaths and injuries from motor vehicle crashes, and increase seat belt use nationwide. A critical component of the campaign is educating the public about the dangers of traveling in a motor vehicle unrestrained.


GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Dead or Alive Crashcar Presentation is a software program, developed in 1997 by an engineering company, allows drivers to experience what actually occurs during a motor vehicle crash. The system allows a person to determine if wearing a seat belt and using air bags really does make a difference in a crash. The program's primary goal is to function as a prevention mechanism. Objectives of the Dead or Alive presentations are to:

  • Provide an educational tool that clearly demonstrates to the user the results of using seat belts versus not using them
  • Enable program users to determine which types of cars on the market today are safest in a crash
  • Allow automobile manufacturers to perform fewer costly crash car tests, instead of using computer simulation to test the design of air bags and restraint systems


STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Computer simulation of crashes has played a major role in the design of air bags and occupant restraint systems in automobiles during the past decade. Computer simulation, while expensive, is much less costly than actual car crash testing. The Dead or Alive software program provides a valuable educational tool for both automobile manufacturers and drivers. The software allows the user to see a computer simulation of an automobile crash with the deployment of air bags. Crashes are conducted at 35 miles per hour, and allow the user to enter personal data, including their size and weight. The user can also choose which type of vehicle to test. The program includes two main features:

  • View Function: This is the actual simulation of the crash from 0-150 milliseconds. The person in the driver's seat is shown hitting the dashboard or the roof of the car depending on the person's height, weight, or the severity of the crash. The computer then plots out the injuries to the victim's head and chest
  • Run Function: This function is much more traumatic in nature, as it graphically illustrates injuries from 0-20 milliseconds and 20-40 milliseconds

At the conclusion of each Dead or Alive demonstration, the data is used to produce a wallet- size pledge card, providing users with test results to take with them to remind them to buckle up. A matrix is also provided, based on the size and weight of the user. During the holiday season, a holiday gift check is distributed to Dead or Alive participants, based on the amount of money each crash would cost. The check reads: "As a result of using seat belts and air bags, please pay _____." The blank line is filled in with the dollar amount the participant would save based on the crash demonstration results. Participants endorse the check as a reminder that a pledge has been made to buckle up and use air bags.


RESULTS
The Dead or Alive program has been presented to drivers throughout the Region 3 states, and has been very successful in educating the public about the risks of not using seat belts and air bags.

 

FUNDING
  None
CONTACT  
 

Roland Wilson
Regional Program Manager
NHTSA Region 3
10 South Howard Street
Suite 4000
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 962-0077


NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

SUMMER 1999