Traumatismes abdominorachidiens et ceinture de sécurité

Abstract

The ventral seat belt in the rear seats of motor vehicles is supposed to protect the passenger who uses it. In this study, however, the case is examined of a seat belt-associated injury involving a teenager. The ‘two-point’ seat belt held the teenager in place during a head-on collision between two vehicles travelling at high speed, and prevented him from being thrown forwards by the impact; but although the safety belt saved his life, he almost lost it afterwards due to the severe abdomino-rachidian injuries that it caused. In conclusion, it has been observed that the standard ‘three-point’ seat belt has significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality rate connected with road accidents; however, the ‘two-point’ version used in the middle part of the back seat can cause serious injury in accidents that occur at high speed. It is recommended that after the appropriate safety tests have been carried out, the ‘two-point’ seat belt should be replaced by an officially approved ‘four-point’ version.