Background Integrated safety belt systems mount the entire safety belt directly to the seat, rather that to the floor or pillar. Integrated systems are intended to provide a more consistent and comfortable fit and more effectively hold occupants in their seats during a crash. NHTSA does not require integrated safety belt systems, but some manufactures are installing these systems in some of their vehicles in several seating positions. By model year 2003, approximately 45 percent of all sport utility vehicles were equipped with integrated safety belts and some sport utility vehicles are offering them in the second row for the inboard seating position.

ObjectiveDetermine the effectiveness of integrated safety belts in reducing fatalities and injuries. Compare the fatality and injury rates of occupants using integrated safety belts, non-integrated safety belts, and no belts. Examine effectiveness by type of crash (frontal, side, rear and rollover). If possible, compare the use rates of integrated and non-integrated safety belts.

Proposed Approach Statistical analyses of FARS, NASS and State crash data will be used to compare fatality and injury risk of occupants using integrated safety belts, non-integrated safety belts, and no belts. Compare NCAP test performance of dummies protected by integrated vs. non-integrated safety belts. If any States will be collecting make-model information in their belt use surveys, compare belt use in the make-models with integrated and non-integrated safety belts. This evaluation can probably be completed within a year, since it is based on analyses of existing data.