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The compulsory use of child restraint systems (CRS) in cars which came into force on 1st April 1993 led to a considerable increase in the belting rate of children in Germany, but between 30% and nearly 60% of the children aged 0<12 years are only restrained by an adult belt (lap or three-point belt). On the basis of a new accident material of the German Motor Insurers (593 restrained children 0 to 12 years involved in 448 car accidents) the injury risk of children being belted with an adult belt only is compared to those injury risks of children being restrained in different types of CRS (415-point belt, 3-point belt, impact shield, booster cushion). The form of restraint „child with an adult belt only” involves disproportionately high risks. In retrospective accident studies it is relatively difficult to get detailed information about the frequency and the exact kind of CRS misuse. Therefore 250 users of CRS were observed and interviewed.

The omnibus occupies an important position in the traffic scene in the Federal Republic of Germany; this paper furnishes statistical data on this fact. In the light of the national statistics, it is deduced that the risk of being killed or seriously injured as the occupant of a bus is Sow. This study covers 97 bus accidents with a collision in which occupants were injured: for the bus occupants, the risk of injury is given dependent on the accident opponent and kind of collision. For bus/car accidents, the risk to the car occupants, i.e., the passengers in the opposing vehicle, is also described. Moreover, this paper contains 142 accidents with injuries to the bus occupants without the bus being involved in a collision. These injuries resulted from the driving maneuvers of emergency braking, starting, and driving in a bend.

The high level of protection afforded by the safety belt has been proved in the past beyond doubt. The results of national and international studies of its effectiveness are given. The possible relative reduction of the frequency of injuries to different parts of the body is pointed out. These reduction quotas are derived by means of direct comparison from equivalent real-life accidents. The effects of a 100% and 85% belt-wearing rate is described for the traffic accident incidence in the Federal Republic of Germany. On the basis of selected study material comprising 200 belted car drivers who were involved in head-on collisions, the injuries to the different parts of the body are presented in relation to the accident severity. In the light of these injuries, technical measures to the car and the belt system are proposed which might effect a further reduction of injuries.