Comparison of Door Opening Frequency in 1967-1968 Cars with Earlier Model U. S. Cars

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Comparison of Door Opening Frequency in 1967-1968 Cars with Earlier Model U. S. Cars

J. W. Garrett

Rural injury-producing accident data from the ACIR interstate program are examined. Data are subdivided into six automobile model year groups ranging from pre-1956 models to 1967-1968 cars to determine the frequency of door opening and door hinge damage associated with different latch designs. The data show that, for the U.S. automobile industry as a whole, and for the larger manufacturers studied individually, there has been a progressive and consistent reduction in door opening as door latch improvements were made. Failure of both hinges on a door has been, and remains, a less frequent event than door opening. In 1967-1968 cars, failure of both hinges occurred in less than one percent of the cars regardless of make. In earlier models, differences in the frequency of hinge failure ranged from less than one percent to about six percent. When hinge failure occurred, it often was associated with severe accident conditions or with an impact on the door or the fender area near the hinges. (Author)