Car structural characteristics of fatal frontal crashes in Sweden

This paper provides results from in-depth real world crash investigations of fatal frontal crashes with belted occupants. A new method has been used regarding data collection of vehicle deformations. This method allows a detailed analysis of actual load paths acting on the vehicle during the crash event. By using this method it was identified that small overlap crashes accounted for 48% of the belted fatalities which corresponds to an overlap < 30% and not including the drive train as an active load path. Crashes that correspond to load paths usage similar to the Euro & US NCAP crash test protocols accounted for 23% of the fatalities. A comparison of the new data collection methodology to the existing SAE J224 practice indicates that the SAE J224 practise overestimates the width of front structural involvement. These results points out the necessity to identify actual load paths involved in crashes in order to evaluate current crash test standards and future vehicle compatibility issues.