Center for Automotive Medicine at U-M wants to make driving safer

Years of research into automobile crashes will be part of the new Center for Automotive Medicine, or ICAM, a University of Michigan facility that will put medical professionals and auto engineers and their crucial information in close contact.

The $800,000 ICAM facility will encourage past and future research into crashes, both from the automotive safety side and the human behavior side, be put into recommendations, informing changes that could save lives and money.

"In our many years of research, here's what we know is important," says Dr. Stewart Wang, founder and director of ICAM and director of the U-M Burn Center, says in a statement. "The vehicle is important. The restraints are important. But the occupant is the most important," he says.

"Our mission is to better understand, treat and prevent crash injuries. And to really understand injuries requires doctors and engineers working together in equal partnership."

ICAM is also the creator of www.crashedu.org, and is looked to as a leader in automotive safety research.

Source: Ian Demsky, spokesperson, University of Michigan Health System
Writer: Kim North Shine
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