Car crashes

[MarkCO]

The truck was about 22 mph into the rear of a stopped semi, the mustang was 44 mph differential head on.

[Gman]

The IIHS does not recommend these tiny cars like the Fit, as cars that are slightly larger are more survivable and get about the same mileage. Sometimes, it just comes down to physics and the bigger vehicle wins (subcompact vs. SUV vs. tractor trailer vs. train).

[Combatmoose]

Another thing to think about as well, is the amount of Gs the body is receiving. Even with all the crumple zones, there is still a lot of force going through to the passengers. It can reach over 45Gs. Which in return will damage the internal organs and cause internal hemorrhaging, ruptured organs etc.

[SamuraiCO]

Yep comes down to physics. I laugh at those who talk about the crash pod in SMART cars. It may not get damaged in a wreck but the force of the collision has to go somewhere. Without sufficient mass or large crumple zones in the vehicles it will go to the passengers.

[MarkCO]

Yep comes down to physics. I laugh at those who talk about the crash pod in SMART cars. It may not get damaged in a wreck but the force of the collision has to go somewhere. Without sufficient mass or large crumple zones in the vehicles it will go to the passengers.

True. Sad thing is that, at the forcing of the Insurance Industry, some car makers spend more time attempting to get 5 stars on the 5 mph bumper test than protecting occupants from side and rear impacts. Do not get me wrong, we have incredibly safe cars today as compared to those from the mid 1990s and older. But one of the safest cars on the road, pound for pound, could not survive in the marketplace (Saturn). The Ford/Mercury Taurus/Sable was another very safe platform that went by the wayside. Volvos are nowhere near as safe as they were at one time. The drive has been towards lowering repair costs for the 70% of the more common crashes in the past decade as opposed to decreasing lower extremity injuries and increasing survivability. It is almost like we came so far in such a short time while not seeing the data for what it is. While cars got safer and safer, the number of crashes was increasing and the number of deaths has held constant. The collision avoidance systems we are seeing now have been possible for a long time, but the market did not demand them. Cell phones and Ipods are likely a big driver of customer demand for these new systems.

What sucks is when a "safety" system hampers or damages. Like Anti-lock brakes when you are stuck in snow, or a speed limiter kicking in while a cop is on a curve. The big stick in the auto-industry right now with the collision avoidance is how to program the morality. For example. If you approach an intersection on a green light and a pedestrian steps into the crosswalk in front of you and insufficient distance to stop, does the program strike the pedestrian, steer you into a telephone pole, or veer you left into a van full of kids? I have always said you can not legislate morality, but soon, will a programmer decide your fate, or will you?

[Dave_L]

iRobot here we come. "You had a 60% chance of survival and the kid only had 10%. It did the logical thing by saving you".

I am NOT a fan of technology. It done us a lot of good but we have crossed into the threshold of it making us dumb.

[Skip]

This is a really cool thread! Even though it's discussing tragedy.

Vehicle size made a huge difference when we replaced our family car a few years back. We are both natives but have never been SUV people. Came from families that never even owned an SUV. Thought they were kind of silly when you know how to drive in snow.

But we got a large SUV just because everyone here has one and thus the odds of being in an accident with a larger vehicle are high.

[Gman]

Here in Colorado in icy conditions, a 2014 Mercedes Benz GL450 that took a Ford F350 doing 45-50 nearly head on and stopped primarily by the driver's door. It took emergency responders about 15 minutes to cut the door off.






Severe concussion and whiplash for the driver. State patrol and paramedics stated that the strength of the car saved his life. As far as Mercedes Benz is aware, there have been no deaths in a GL class X166.

The car was totaled and the owner is using his insurance money to buy a new 2017 GLS X166.
http://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-x...led-gl450.html

[Graves]

Icy roads change things exponentially when it comes to collisions.

[SAnd]

Icy roads change things exponentially when it comes to collisions.

Yes it does. Besides the road hazards it provides I think it also numbs peoples brains.