Improper Safety Harness Installation Contributes To Severity of Injuries
In the actual crash event, Earnhardt been prepositioned significantly to the right as a result of the prior impact with Schrader's car. Therefore, Earnhardt's right leg moved forward and rightward from a rightward position resulting in loading against the leg guard displacing it forward and to the right. The hips transitioned forward and slightly rightward from a position already displaced to the right, leading to an asymmetric load on the lap belt. This asymmetry was likely heightened somewhat by Earnhardt’s customary habit of wrapping the crotch strap around the front of the seat rather than through the slot in the seat. This configuration is demonstrated in Figure 09 (right) showing an exemplar vehicle and restraint. The slot would have tended to provide a centering force on the buckle which would not be present during the initial load with the crotch strap around the front of the seat. The slot can be clearly seen approximately 5 inches rearward of the front edge of the seat. The net result would be to have an altered angle of pull on the left seat belt anchor from that which would normally be present. In addition, the severity and nature of the impact as previously described would result in a significantly higher tension being initially applied to the left belt webbing.
Read more about this topic: Death Of Dale Earnhardt
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