[Healeys] "No, they don't make them like they used to. And that's a good thing:"

Guy R Day grday at btinternet.com
Wed Dec 23 06:31:13 MST 2009


> An 80 MPH closing speed means both vehicles were travelling at 40 MPH. 
> <snip>
Noooo, an 80mph closing speed means one vehicle was doing 80, the other 0. 
There again, it could mean one was doing 55 and the other 135 if they were 
both travelling in the same direction.  It does not necessarily mean the 
closing speed should be equally divided between vehicles.

As far as injuries go, it is the rate of deceleration or degree of vehicle 
intrusion into your flesh that matters.  The slower the deceleration the 
better - but a slow deceleration accompanied by an intrusion of vehicle 
component into flesh ain't too good, usually it's more painful
We should be talking about the manner in which vehicles are built - not 
forces generated during impacts - although there is good correlation as most 
people tend to puncture or split around the same limits.

I would be interested in the source of crash testing done at 80mph for 
driver injury if any-one can help with a link.
If Chevy are claiming just a foot injury in a closing speed 80mph impact let 
their CEO sit in the drivers' seat to prove it, otherwise I'll accept they 
are liars.

Guy R Day



>>
>> While I completely believe that modern cars a significantly safer than 
>> their
>> 50's-60's counterparts, something doesn't seem right.
>>
>> With an 80 MPH impact speed, I am amazed that the driver of the new Chevy
>> would only sustain foot injuries. Are there any experts on the list that
>> could comment. I was under the impression that at that impact speed, even 
>> in
>> modern cars your chances of serious injury or death is very high.
>>
>> Dave
>> BJ8
> _______________________________________________


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