John D. States
Encyclopedia
John Dunham States is an orthopedic surgeon who has dedicated his career to improving automotive safety. He is a graduate of the University of Rochester
, and received his M.D.
from Harvard Medical School
. He was a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Rochester from 1976 to 1990 and is now a Professor Emeritus.
His interest in automotive safety began when he served as race physician for the Watkins Glen International Speedway. As race physician, he learned the risks to the driver of being thrown from the car and the protection afforded by seat belts.
In 1966, he developed the first set of automobile safety standards.
In 1970, he developed an improved shoulder harness to restrain the upper body and prevent injuries that occur when the occupant hits the dashboard or windshield.
Dr. States drafted the New York State seat belt law in 1983, the first such law in the US. Similar laws have now been adopted in 49 states, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
credits these laws with dramatically increasing seat belt use and decreasing injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents.
Dr. States received the Distinguished Career Award from the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section of the American Public Health Association
in 2000, the Excalibur Award from the National Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Council and was cited for his work on public safety by Governor Mario Cuomo
. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
. He served as a member of the National Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Council and chaired the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Medical Advisory Board. He was also a Visiting Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control.
He is the author of 83 scientific publications and holds a patent for an improved seat belt latch.
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
, and received his M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
from Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
. He was a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Rochester from 1976 to 1990 and is now a Professor Emeritus.
His interest in automotive safety began when he served as race physician for the Watkins Glen International Speedway. As race physician, he learned the risks to the driver of being thrown from the car and the protection afforded by seat belts.
In 1966, he developed the first set of automobile safety standards.
In 1970, he developed an improved shoulder harness to restrain the upper body and prevent injuries that occur when the occupant hits the dashboard or windshield.
Dr. States drafted the New York State seat belt law in 1983, the first such law in the US. Similar laws have now been adopted in 49 states, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...
credits these laws with dramatically increasing seat belt use and decreasing injuries and fatalities from traffic accidents.
Dr. States received the Distinguished Career Award from the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services Section of the American Public Health Association
American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association is Washington, D.C.-based professional organization for public health professionals in the United States. Founded in 1872 by Dr. Stephen Smith, APHA has more than 30,000 members worldwide...
in 2000, the Excalibur Award from the National Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Council and was cited for his work on public safety by Governor Mario Cuomo
Mario Cuomo
Mario Matthew Cuomo served as the 52nd Governor of New York from 1983 to 1994, and is the father of Andrew Cuomo, the current governor of New York.-Early life:...
. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
American College of Surgeons
The American College of Surgeons is an educational association of surgeons created in 1913 to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient by setting high standards for surgical education and practice.-Membership:...
. He served as a member of the National Motor Vehicle Safety Advisory Council and chaired the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Medical Advisory Board. He was also a Visiting Scientist at the Centers for Disease Control.
He is the author of 83 scientific publications and holds a patent for an improved seat belt latch.