David C. Viano
OBJECTIVE: There has been publicity about the 5th female THOR dummy and its need to improve safety for women. The publicity conveys the notion that not much progress has been made in female safety. This study reviews research, epidemiology, and approaches used to improve female safety. METHOD: General Motors (GM) research on female safety using the 5th female Hybrid III in the 1980s-2000s is summarized. Epidemiologic studies are summarized on differences in risk between females and male conducted by GM, NHTSA, and others. The pitfalls of focusing on MAIS 2+ injury are evaluated, and the need for prevention of MAIS 4 + F is discussed. RESULTS: GM research improved female safety: (1) Testing showed the lightest weight occupant was more prone to submarining than heavier occupants. GM modified the 5th female Hybrid III adding a frangible abdomen that showed if the lap belt was on the abdomen with high enough loads to cause submarining injuries. The modified dummy was used during the phase-in of rear-seat lap-shoulder belts. (2) First generation driver airbags caused inflation induced deaths to OOP (out-of-position) female drivers. The 5th female Hybrid III was used to assess neck and chest injury risks with OOP (out-of-position) inflations and to prevent injuries by depowering and bag unfolding patterns. (3) There were concerns for OOP injuries to the fetus of pregnant drivers. GM led the effort to develop a fetal insert for the 5th female Hybrid III. Testing showed risks with 1st generation airbags were reduced by advanced airbags. (4) The 5th female Hybrid III was used during GM's development of head restraints to prevent whiplash in high retention seats, including the active head restraint (SAHR) introduced in 1996 Saab 9-3 and 9-5. Studies using FARS and the double pair comparison method showed the fatality risk for unbelted females was 28 ± 3% higher in 1975-1983 MY and 19.6 ± 2.6% higher in 1980-1984 MY vehicles than unbelted males of the same age. The risk difference steadily decreased to 0.5 ± 10.7% (not significant) with belt use in 2015-2020 MY vehicles. There is no gender difference in modern vehicles with advance belts and airbags. The 5th female Hybrid III research contributed to the decrease in female risks. The claim of 47% higher chest injury risks in females compared to males is inconsistent with the most reliable field data showing no significant difference in serious injuries between females and males in frontal crashes with airbag deployment. CONCLUSION: Progress in the protection of females was made in 1980s-2000s with special instrumentation in the 5th female Hybrid III. The testing and field data resulted in greater improvements in female safety than for males. Use of the 5th THOR with 150 channels of responses in NCAP and regulatory tests will not reduce fatalities or severe injuries. Further improvements in female safety require a focus on specific MAIS 4 + F injuries, where a few key responses and kinematics are studied in dummy testing.