News

SAFER’s partners are launching a new project with the aim of developing and making available a reliable test method for measuring the protective performance of hip protectors. The background is that around 15,000–18,000 people suffer a hip fracture every year in Sweden, primarily older adults and women, and that fall-related injuries in the traffic environment are a major but relatively under-researched road safety area.

The project is clearly aligned with Vision Zero: when falls account for a substantial share of serious injuries in the traffic environment, we need methods that drive the development of effective protection and provide a stronger basis for both product development and informed choices.

SAFER’s Director, Magnus Granström, welcomes the project:

“We welcome this initiative. Falls are a significant – yet still relatively under-researched – part of the injury burden in the traffic environment. Standardised and transparent test methods are an important piece of the puzzle to strengthen the evidence base, drive the development of effective protection, and provide better decision support. If we are serious about Vision Zero, we also need long-term investments and clear responsibility shared across multiple actors.”

The project builds on lessons learned from the previous ProSAFe project, which focused on designing, producing, testing and evaluating fall-prevention protective solutions (including wearable protection) to reduce fall-related hip injuries – with a clear connection to Vision Zero thinking.

Facts

• Duration: 2026-02-01 – 2028-01-31
• Funder: Skyltfonden
• Budget: SEK 1,821,824 (two parallel projects)
• Partners: Chalmers Industriteknik and RISE
• Contacts: Anna Carlsson, Chalmers Industriteknik and Viveca Wallqvist, RISE