Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

OSU Researchers Testing Seat Belts To Protect Elderly Drivers

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Ohio State University researchers are conducting tests on new seat belt designs in an effort to better protect older drivers.

Mike Foley reports.

According to estimates, there are 36 million drivers over the age of 65 travelling on U.S. roads. John Bolte directs OSU’s Injury Biomechanics Research Center. He says when seat belts were first designed forty years ago, crash test simulations modeled middle-age males weighing about 170 pounds. While there’s no question seat belts save lives during crashes, Bolte says improperly fitted belts could lead to severe injuries in the elderly.

It’s not enough to keep someone my size maybe back in my seat, and it’s probably too much force to keep an elderly occupant in their seat which could cause thoracic injuries. We’re doing some studies to look at how strong are their ribs, how do they interact with the seatbelt potentially with airbags in a side impact scenario.”

Bolte says the ideal outcome would be a personalized safety system that adjusts the seat belt based on an individual’s physiology.

Now that’s very futuristic, probably twenty years down the road but that’s what people are interested in. The safety system could change based to the occupant that’s sitting there. As technology increases, smart materials, our knowledge of how the body responds – we need to keep pushing and reduce injuries and reduce fatalities.”

While studies show this age group among the highest in terms of seat belt usage, their chances of surviving serious crashes are lower because they are often fragile. Researchers also hope these new studies result in better safety for all age groups.

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.