Volvo research shows automaker has decreased injury for men and women by 79%
A new report from Volvo finds that equal protection for men and women can be achieved through data-driven safety development grounded in real-world crash research, the release states.
The research found that overall injury for drivers has decreased by 79% for Volvo models from 2010 to 2019 compared to models from 1970 to 1979.
Volvo saw an 88% decrease for women, bringing the injury risk to the same level as men, the release states.
“The results also show substantial advances in occupant protection across all seating positions,” the release adds. “Restrained rear-seat occupants in Volvo cars benefit from protection levels comparable to, and in some cases exceeding, those of front-seat occupants.”
Volvo says the data underscores the effectiveness of decades of rear-seat safety innovation in Volvo cars. This happened with the lack of regulatory requirements and standardized testing, the release states.
“For too long, safety in the automotive industry has not worked equally well for everyone,” says Åsa Haglund, Volvo head of Cars Safety Centre, in the release. “At Volvo Cars, we’ve taken a different approach. By studying real-world crashes and designing with the needs of women, men and children of all body types in mind, we’ve worked for decades to provide a high level of protection regardless of who you are or where you sit in the car. Our latest research confirms that equal protection is not just an ambition, but something we have been able to achieve in Volvo cars for many years.”
Volvo has collected data since 1970 from more than 50,000 real-world crashes involving more than 80,000 occupants, the release notes. It adds that the insights are translated into safety requirements, testing, vehicle development, verification, and production.
“The result is a continuous cycle of learning that helps drive innovations and improve protection for everyone,” according to the release.
The study also reviewed different crash types. It found that frontal impact injuries were reduced by 79% for all drivers. Side impacts saw a larger reduction in injuries at 89%.
The approach also laid the foundation for pioneering Volvo Cars Safety Standard, according to the release. Through the standard, Volvo sets its own benchmark for real-world safety, going beyond regulation or safety ratings, Volvo says.
“And because real-world crashes don’t involve standardized crash test dummies, Volvo Cars’ research involves considering a diverse range of occupant characteristics, including gender, height, body shape and weight,” the release states. “As a result, the company’s safety innovations are designed with the same diversity in mind.”
Volvo notes it has openly shared its safety research to help raise safety standards across the industry through the Equal Vehicles for All (E.V.A.) initiative launched in 2019. It adds that more than 50 years of safety research is freely accessible in a digital library. Carmakers, researchers and policyholders can use the data to build on Volvo’s insights.
The recent study focuses on a broad range of real-world crash scenarios, including frontal, side, and rear-end impacts; run-off-road collisions; rollovers; side-swipe collisions; large animal impacts; and multi-collision crashes.
It also focuses on belted occupants aged 13 or older and examines injuries with moderate potential to threaten life, such as fractures and concussions, while excluding minor injuries such as bruises and pain.
Earlier this year, Volvo introduced a new seatbelt that adapts to traffic variations and the person wearing it via real-time data.
The Volvo EX60 was the first vehicle equipped with the multi-adaptive seatbelt.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released research in January that found women are at higher risk of injury than men in collisions. The research followed details released by the U.S. Department of Transportation on an advanced female crash test dummy.
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Photo courtesy of Volvo