New Developments in Crash Test Dummies
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New Developments in Crash Test Dummies
Ford Motor Company recently announced that they were in the process of developing new sensors for child crash test dummies. The new sensors will be made to fit inside the abdomen of child sized dummies to record data about what happens to internal organs in a crash.
Previous testing focused on child head and neck injuries, and only on adult abdominal injuries. But as children are much smaller, and child seat belts and harnesses differ significantly fom adult ones, children can suffer different injuries in an accident. Ford hopes data from testing using the new sensors will lead to improved child restraints.
Crash test dummy manufactures make male and female adult dummies, a range of different age child dummies, and even baby dummies. What’s missing? Researchers at Volvo in Sweden and Loughborough University in the UK are developing a pregnant woman dummy, with a fluid-filled bag to simulate the uterus and baby.
A significant cause of death for pregnant women and unborn babies is car accidents. Partly it’s because researchers don’t really know how car crashes affect unborn babies and pregnant mothers, and seat belts aren’t designed for especially for pregnant women. The scientists hope the new dummy will help car makers develop restraints that can better protect pregnant women.
Another, avoidable, cause of injuries and fatalities is that many pregnant women don’t wear their seat belts. They are not comfortable especially in late pregnancy, and where should the belt go around the bump? Despite that, you should always wear your seat belt, to give you and your baby the best chance in an accident. The hip belt goes under the bump, low on your hips, and the chest belt over the bump between your breasts. The belt shouldn’t go over your bump.
And what if you are unlucky enough to be in a crash while pregnant? Even if you feel fine, get checked out by your doctor as soon as possible - here’s why.
So right now, there’s no special seat belts for pregnant woman, but lets hope there will be one for your next pregnancy. Would you buy, or have a special seat belt fitted if you could?
References
http://www.koat.com/automotive/14925771/detail.html?rss=alb&psp=nationalnews
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/publicity/news-releases/2004/04_01_pregnant.html
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/pregnancy/basics/824.html
http://www.kirafae.com/lauraarticle.htm
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