Influence of seat belt upon maxillofacial fractures

During the years 1969-1979, 534 patients with facial fractures were treated. Of those 178 were traffic victims. A seat belt legislation was established in Sweden on January 1, 1975. The use of seat belts rose to about 85% of all drivers and front seat passengers and our 'severe fractures' of the face were significantly reduced in frequency from 36 to 12%.