Prevention of brain trauma by legislation, regulation, and improved technology: a focus on motor vehicles

More than half of all brain trauma is caused by motor vehicle crashes. Prevention strategies that reduce the likelihood of motor vehicle crashes or injuries to occupants will also prevent trauma. Many effective strategies have yet to be applied on a large scale. Roadway design improvements such as removal of fixed objects from roadsides, widening roadside recovery zones, installing dividers between opposing lanes of traffic, and replacing fixed utility poles with breakaway designs, have been effective in reducing crashes and injuries. Driver measures of documented benefit include the 55 mph speed limit, safety belt use laws, 21 year legal drinking age, administrative license suspension for drinking drivers, and driving curfews and postponement of licensure for teenagers. Motor vehicle safety has improved greatly since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began regulating vehicle design. Significant design requirements include lap and shoulder belts in front seat positions, and, more recently, automatic safety belts or air bags in front seat positions, head restraints in front seat positions, reinforcing side and roof beams, and the center-mounted brake light. The most significant future advance will be the provision of full front seat air bags in all passenger vehicles. As much as one-quarter of brain trauma can be prevented or reduced in severity by this measure alone. Further safety requirements should include head restraints in rear positions, a-pillar, b-pillar, and roof padding, antilock brakes, and a vehicle rollover standard.