Confidential inquiries into maternal deaths.

In 1971 344 700 people sustained non-fatal injuries in road traffic accidents, and of these probably 8% (27 576) were back seat passengers. This figure is unlikely to be less in the subsequent years. Of these 27 576 passengers no fewer than half will have received moderate or severe injuries. Most authorities now accept that there is a dramatic reduction in the severity of injuries, in particular to head, face, and chest sustained by front seat passengers and drivers who are adequately restrained by seat belts. Adequate seat belts worn by rear seat passengers will achieve an equally dramatic reduction in injuries sustained by these passengers. Hence, future legislation to make the wearing of seat belts compulsory should apply to occupants of both rear and front compartments of vehicles. I am indebted to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for a grant which made possible part of this investigation and I should also like to thank Professor G. P. Arden, Mr. R. Maudsley, and Mr. M. Swan of the orthopaedic department, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, for their encouragement and cooperation in carrying out this survey.