Broken Glass

Duration: 13 13 min

Genre: Educational

Year Published: 1962

Creator: Charles Cahill And Associates Inc

Format: 16mm

Color: Color

Sound: sound

Description: Created by the University of California and Charles Cahill Productions to highlight the importance of seatbelts and the work of the Institute of Transportation and Traffic Engineering, "Broken Glass" dates to 1963. The film shows the risks associated with different driving speeds and the impact of collisions. It includes demonstrations of controlled impacts, part of experiments conducted by the University of California to study car crashes and improve safety. This includes the use of anthropometric dummies to measure the effects of collisions on passengers. The importance of safety seat belts and shoulder harnesses in preventing injuries is shown, as well as the dangers to unrestrained children in car accidents and the use of lifelike dolls in experiments. The conclusion of the film emphasises the driver's role in ensuring safety by being attentive and careful. 0:21: Introduction mentioning a police report about an accident where a driver hit another car at less than 30 miles per hour. A hearse is shown and the narrator mentions the irony that the driver will be driven to his funeral in the hearse, at roughly the same speed as his accident. 0:39: Description of a car accident where a woman was critically injured and taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Fast or slow, speed kills sign. 1:01: Discussion on the dangers of speed, emphasizing that any speed can be fatal in a collision. Animation of a car accident. 1:20: Explanation of the forces involved in a car crash, even at 25 mph. 1:30: Mention of the University of California's Institute of Transportation and Traffic Engineering, established in 1947. 2:06: Examples of controlled impact experiments to study collisions. 2:31: Introduction of anthropometric dummies used in experiments to measure stresses and forces during collisions. 3:00: Emphasis on the importance of safety seat belts and shoulder harnesses. in an accident test. 3:45: Discussion on the dangers to unrestrained children in car accidents, using lifelike dolls in experiments. Use of large dolls to simulate children or babies. 4:02: Preparation for a unique experiment involving deliberate car accidents. 4:17: cameraman uses a 16mm movie camera to film a crash test. 4:44: Demonstration of a 20 mph collision and its effects on restrained and unrestrained passengers. 5:10: Description of the severe injuries that can occur to unrestrained children in collisions. 6:03: Discussion on the dangers of driving at 30 mph through a blind intersection. 6:42: Plymouth Fury on the road. Explanation of the critical injuries that can result from low-speed crashes. Traffic light changes to red. 6:54: Los Angeles freeway interchange. 7:14: Emphasis on the dangers of driving at 40 mph through intersections and the potential for disastrous collisions. 7:24: Crash test dummy shown with head injury. 8:25: Demonstration of a 40 mph collision without seat belts, showing the severe consequences. 8:39: Crash test dummy is examined in a medical exam room. 9:02: Analysis of data from experimental impacts, including medical diagnoses of dummy injuries. 9:28: Notes and photographs taken at test sites to document every detail of collisions. 10:12: Discussion on the commonality of side-impact collisions and their serious consequences. Red Plymouth Fury convertible seen. 10:39: Emphasis on the importance of wearing safety belts to minimize or prevent injuries in collisions. 11:00: Blonde woman gets in an accident when a car suddenly pulls out in front of her. Saved by a seatbelt. Reminder that the most important safety factor is the driver’s attention and skill. 11:55: Off ramp for Griffith Park in Los Angeles. Warp up: importance of being a careful and attentive driver to ensure safety on the road. End credits mention H.E. Davis, Director of the Institute for Traffic Engineering, as well as research associates J.H. Mathewson, D.M. Severy, and A.W. Siegel.

Complete Record: Pictures collision experiments done at the University of California which shows the effects of intersection collisions at various speeds. Compares damage to automobiles and to passengers as impact speed is increased. Emphasizes the need for careful driving at all times, and especially at slower speeds and on short trips close to home. Stresses the use of seat belts as a very important safety factor.

Metadata Source:Educational film guide. Supplements (1959-62)