No Dummies were hurt during the making of this video - because there aren't any in the car - it is radio controlled :)
www.liveleak.com/view?i=323_1187518073
|
|
Seen this before...impressive how well the structure withstands the impact, you expect to see the whole thing disintegrate and come flying over the barrier. Still looks like an unsurvivable impact for any occupants mind.
|
Reminds me of a piece of dark "advice" I once had from a Traffic Cop relative. He maintained that if you are planning to drive for an extended period at over 70mph, that you might as well take your seatbelt off and get more comfortable as your chances of surviving any impact at that speed are minimal anyway.
Of course his tongue was firmly embedded in his cheek, but seeing the result of high speed impact does make you shudder at the thought of the deceleration effect on the human body.
|
I can see the reasoning behind that piece of 'advice' but I would have to dismiss it as nonsense-plenty of impacts at 70+ are survivable just depends how you crash, bit of braking takes of 10-20mph, some sideways skidding or a few glancing blows off other vehicles drops 20mph more and then maybe you come to a deadish stop from 30mph. Seatbelt + airbag = walking wounded. No seatbelt = dead or severely injured...
It's the belts on aeroplanes that get me...heading for the deck at 550mph with no hope of survival and you've got a lapbelt on...(I know they're to keep you in your seat in case of turbulence etc they are not really expected to save you from a catastrphic impact).
|
|
Like I said - he wasn't serious. Just making the point that if the impact speed with a solid object is high, that you are in deep trouble no matter what safety aids are fitted or used.
|
|
|
|
I see lots of this type of car (including the sports version) in my neck of the woods - they scare me heck out of me because they look so flimsy.
I'd feel safer in a Q plate kit car! Not....
Most of the drivers of these cars just seem to think (I know this thread has been covered) that they are untouchable and totally safe in these cars.
As you are sat right next (more so than a normal car) to all the metal and trim work and even with (do they have side impact airbags - would they fit?!) airbags, any (severe) impact will see you probably needing to be cut out because of the door alignment being taken out and jamming the doors shut.
This is a vehicle, if I owned one, that I would see me place a safety break glass hammer, fire extinguisher (for what it is worth) and seat belt cutter in to.
I have seen inside one - very basic looking and all the components looked like they would break if you applied to much pressure when using them!
I also had the opportunity to see, in great detail, the engine, gearbox and drive assembly - it was on the floor in front of it. It had been brought in that morning to the breakers yard having been involved in an RTA!!! The whole front (not a lot!!!) had been removed in this impact and yes, the roof and drivers door had been cut off to get the driver out!
Not a vehicle I would feel very safe in and is one that I certainly would not get in never mind buy one!
Edited by Tron on 29/12/2007 at 11:00
|
|
Its a clip from Fifth Gear a few monhs ago.
|
Fifth Gear.
Thought I'd seen it before somewhere.
|
|
I'm well out of the closet on Fifth Gear !
|
|
|
|
This is a vehicle if I owned one that I would see me place a safety break glass hammer fire extinguisher (for what it is worth) and seat belt cutter in to.
Well I'm paranoid enough to have these things permanently in the gloveboxes of both of our cars and neither of them is a Smart. I once had a big crash (described in another thread and not my fault I hasten to add) and I had difficulty getting out of the car as the doors wouldn't open. It's a very unpleasant feeling I can tell you.
|
|
Airplane seatbelts are fairly effective if you're in the braced position. A lot of the time, the only people who survive major incidents tend to have been in this position already by putting shoes on, for example.
|
|
Like the car example aircraft accidents don't necessarily involve hitting an imovable object at cruising speed. A hard landing and an excursion off the runway are survivable if belted and braced. Even in much more serious circs the survival rate can be surprisingly high www.airdisaster.com/special/special-ua232.shtml
|
|
|
|
|
|
On Clarkson's latest DVD they crash a G-Wiz into a dining table left on its side - the table was lightly scratched, but the G-Wiz was a mess and promptly started to spill acid all over the runway.
|
Be fair, that cabin stayed pretty intact; far better than some "safer" cars I have seen fare in rta's.
However, imo opinion that car (and others like it) are designed for city use not motorway use; but people put their faith in it on the motorway. i wouldn't !
What i would like to see tested on that car is how it fares in a real motorway type accident where it hits hard to the vehicle in front (which it simulated) and then suddenly being hit hard from behind by the next car. Somehow Idon't think you would then have much chance of survival.
|
|
Hi shoespy. Yeah I realise that the 'advice' wasn't a serious point, my reply comes across like I am taking it just a bit too seriously...don't know what I was getting at really!
|
|
|
|
|
Although the Smart appears to fair well in that video, I've seen another more realistic test where a Smart was crashed in to an ordinary saloon head on. The Smart rolled on its side and was in a bad way. I'd have rather been in the other car. Check out Youtube for the videos.
When they first come out, I could imagine them rolling down the motorway like a football if involved in an accident whilst moving. I've not really changed my mind.
|
The safety cell still reamined intact though.
Go to You Tube and check out the Smart Vs. E-Class video, it mangles the front of an E-Class with ease and is left almost totally intact. They're very safe vehicles if they hit another car, I believe that the decelleration can be a little more unforgiving if you hit a tree in one.
Blue
|
It's apparently how that guy who allegedly murdered his wife killed himself...Smart Car into a tree. You've got to have faith to try and kill yourself that way...too many variables...no where near a sure enough thing for my liking.
So yeah...tree vs Smart Car tree wins.
|
|
|
|
