@article {MacLennan363, author = {P A MacLennan and G McGwin, Jr and J Metzger and S G Moran and L W Rue III}, title = {Risk of injury for occupants of motor vehicle collisions from unbelted occupants}, volume = {10}, number = {6}, pages = {363--367}, year = {2004}, doi = {10.1136/ip.2003.005025}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Objective: Unbelted occupants may increase the risk of injury for other occupants in a motor vehicle collision (MVC). This study evaluated the association between occupant restraint use and the risk of injury (including death) to other vehicle occupants. Design: A population based cohort study. Setting: United States. Subjects: MVC occupants (nā€Š=ā€Š152 191 unweighted, nā€Š=ā€Š18 426 684 weighted) seated between a belted or unbelted occupant and the line of the principal direction of force in frontal, lateral, and rear MVCs were sampled from the 1991{\textendash}2002 National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System. Offset MVCs were not included in the study. Main outcome measure: Risk ratios and 95\% confidence intervals for injury (including death) for occupants seated contiguous to unbelted occupants compared to occupants seated contiguous to belted occupants. Risk ratios were adjusted for at risk occupant{\textquoteright}s sex, age, seating position, vehicle type, collision type, travel speed, crash severity, and at risk occupants{\textquoteright} own seat belt use. Results: Exposure to unbelted occupants was associated with a 40\% increased risk of any injury. Belted at risk occupants were at a 90\% increased risk of injury but unbelted occupants were not at increased risk. Risks were similar for non-incapacitating and capacitating injuries. There was a 4.8-fold increased risk of death for exposed belted occupants but no increased risk of death for unbelted occupants. Conclusions: Belted occupants are at an increased risk of injury and death in the event of a MVC from unbelted occupants.}, issn = {1353-8047}, URL = {https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/10/6/363}, eprint = {https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/10/6/363.full.pdf}, journal = {Injury Prevention} }