6. Discussion
6.1. Restraint Usage and Deployment Rates
The available data suggest that a majority of occupants exposed to a
longitudinal barrier collision were restrained by a lap and shoulder
belt. If the vehicle was equipped with an airbag, the airbag deployed in
almost three-fourths of tow-away severity crashes. Lap and shoulder
belt usage rates were consistent with the current U.S. national average
of approximately 83% (Pickrell & Ye, 2008), especially with respect
to airbag restrained occupants. The belt use rate for non-airbag