GM, UM cooperating on auto-crash study

9/26/2007

WASHINGTON General Motors Corp. and the University of Michigan Medical School are working on a new study that will try to guide emergency workers and doctors who respond to car accidents and develop safer vehicles along the way.

Researchers are using crash and injury data from GM s OnStar service to learn more about the links between certain types of crashes and injuries. The in-vehicle system alerts emergency rescue officials when an air bag deploys or the vehicle is involved in a crash.

The study could help emergency room doctors know what to expect before the victim of a car accident arrives at the hospital.

It also may help rescue workers determine when they need heavy equipment to extricate passengers or should send injured motorists to trauma centers.