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Groundbreaking Canadian research into side-impact crashes is revealing human, environmental, and engineering factors that can help drivers avoid vehicle collisions.

What's the best way to avoid injury in a car accident? Don't crash.

A diverse group of AUTO21 researchers is transforming this commonsense advice into practical information that will help vehicle designers, city planners, and drivers reduce the risk of vehicle collisions, particularly side-impact crashes.

"The simplest and best way to avoid injury in crashes is to avoid the crash in the first place," says Prof. Mary Chipman, the principal investigator on the four-year project, which wraps up in March 2005. "Sometimes you have to remind people of that very obvious fact, because they get caught up in research that looks at what happens when a crash occurs. Lab tests are very good for determining how doors should be designed to withstand certain impacts, but they can't tell you very much about what you need to do and what the vehicle needs to have to avoid crashes."

Prof. Chipman is a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Toronto's Department of Public Health Sciences and an expert in applying statistics to the medical sciences. She is currently working with a cross-Canada team of engineers and epidemiologists to examine all aspects of side-impact crashes, including the design of vehicle doors, seats, and street fixtures.

For her part, Prof. Chipman is analyzing detailed Transport Canada data from crash investigations to determine what safety features reduce the likelihood of a side-impact crash.

Side-impact crashes account for 25% to 40% of all collisions, resulting in significant injury and even death. Yet, compared with frontal crashes, little is known about their epidemiology or biomechanics.

The project team analyzed data from crash investigations conducted in Toronto and Montreal on side-impact crashes involving a "bullet" (striking vehicle) and a "target" (struck vehicle). Data included the make, model, year, curb weight, dimensions, and safety equipment such as airbags, anti-lock brake systems (ABS), and traction control on vehicles involved in the accident.

Researchers reviewed 26 side-impact crashes in Toronto, involving both the target and the bullet. They also compiled information on nearly 200 control vehicles – vehicles that passed by the crash site close to the crash date, on the same day of the week and time of day. In Montreal, the team reviewed 35 side-impact crashes, collecting data on about 300 control vehicles.

The AUTO21 project is the first definitive study to examine if anti-lock brake systems can help drivers avoid a side-impact collision. Some previous studies concluded that ABS were effective, but in limited circumstances. Other studies found that crashes were more common in vehicles with ABS, suggesting that drivers with ABS drove differently.

The most striking revelation from Prof. Chipman's research so far is that ABS can help the striking vehicle avoid a side-impact crash.

"ABS doesn't decrease the stopping distance, but it does reduce the risk of skidding," she explains. "If the brakes lock and there's something in front of you, you lose control and may not be able to steer to avoid the crash."

The findings could persuade regulators to make ABS a standard feature in vehicles, rather than an optional extra. Prof. Chipman says it could also influence the future design of automobiles, and help insurance companies identify lower-risk clients.

Preliminary results from the research were presented last year at the U.S.-based Society for Automotive Engineers International, which is considering an additional five papers on related subjects from this study for its 2005 conference.

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