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.
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