[Injuries through traffic accidents to car occupants with and without the obligation to wear safety belts (author's transl)].

Two prospective studies of car accidents within the town of Basel in cars with and without safety belts were conducted. Between June 1, 1972 and May 31, 1973 the police registered 1856 accidents of vehicles with 2862 occupants. Between January 1, 1976 and December 31, 1976 2459 accidents of vehicles with a total of 3332 occupants were recorded. A comparison was made between the frequency of accidents, the type of cars involved, the estimated speed at the time of collision, the direction of the impact at the time of the accident, the estimated damage on the car, the existence of safety belts in the different cars, the kind of the safety belt, if any, the occupation of seats and sex and age of the occupants. Furthermore it was noted how often the safety belt was used in relation to sex, age, place in the car and the estimated speed at the time of collision. Special emphasis was laid upon the probability of an injury and the degree of such an injury in persons with and without safety belt. Since 1976 all card had to be equipped with safety belts. In 1976 31% less injured persons per period of observation and 41% less injuries per accident were observed. Among persons who used the belt four times less head injuries, three times less minor injuries and five times less severe injuries were found compared to occupants not wearing safety belts.