The hidden dangers of road accidents

[thermidorthelobster]

This was originally from sniffpetrol.com:

Following a Department of Transport campaign which warned motorists that, in the event of an accident, an unbelted back seat passenger could hit the driver with the force of an elephant, an automotive science expert has issued his own animal-related impact warning. Professor Ken Freeply of Nigel Havers College, Kettering, claims that, whilst the government's elephantine analysis may be correct, it fails to take into account other, equally lethal objects which can fly around a car's interior in a crash.

'I think the DoT has oversimplified things with their pachyderm-based guidance,' Prof Freeply claims. 'That's why I have produced a handy chart which will give people an instant ready reckoner for accidents. For example, I have calculated that a tissue box on the back shelf of a car would hit the driver with the same impact as a medium-sized guinea pig, whilst a ladies' handbag would smash into the back of your head with a force equivalent to a King Charles spaniel or a very fat kitten.'

Prof Freeply is also keen to stress that it's not just the obvious items that can harm you in a crash. 'Many motorists may assume that something flat and relatively light like a CD case poses no threat,' he says. 'My complex calculations show that in fact in a collision the driver may be hit with a force equivalent to a full-grown skate or sole. Furthermore, you know those air fresheners you can stick to the vents in your car? They may seem flimsy enough, but in an impact you would experience something like having a field mouse thrown at your face.'

Although the objects/animals chart is still a work in progress, Prof Freeply has dire warning for drivers who ignore his findings: 'Thanks to benchmarks such as the Euro NCAP tests, car buyers are well aware of the dangers posed by unyielding parts of car interiors and inadequate airbag provision, but they are blissfully ignorant of the simple fact that in a crash they will literally be bombarded with animals and fish.'

[pritch]

I don't know why, but that's just reminded me of a story recounted to me by a friend who works for Transport Research Laboratories:

I was measuring a sign on the A3 near Leatherhead, with my yellow jacket on and my whirly Astra lights, when all of a sudden a woman in a Corsa (which was full of flowers) pulled up and wound her window down, and asked me how to get to London.  

A bit thrown by being asked for directions on a main trunk road, especially when I was standing two feet from a 30ft sign that said "London" on it, I pointed rather stupidly up the road.

Anyway it had transpired that there was some major congestion because the A3 had been shut further ahead. And because of this congestion, she was extremely angry and had decided that in lieu of the fact that I was wearing a yellow jacket and was wielding a tape measure, it must somehow be my fault.

And demanded what I was going to do about it.

She launched into a long tirade about it was her time and petrol and how layabouts like me were to blame and I don't know etc etc youth of today. The conversation was rather difficult to follow as hundreds of cars were stampeding past a few feet away.

I decided to point out to her that the hard shoulder was for emergency purposes only and that if she needed directions she should pull off the trunk road and consult a map (or a psychologist).

Which she didn't care about.

All the while, these pretty flowers swayed at me, totally at odds with the woman's generally black outlook.

The whole thing finished thusly:
"So who do I complain to?"
"Have you thought about religion?"
<angry wheelspinning>

[Sooty]

This was originally from sniffpetrol.com:

Following a Department of Transport campaign which warned motorists that, in the event of an accident, an unbelted back seat passenger could hit the driver with the force of an elephant, an automotive science expert has issued his own animal-related impact warning. Professor Ken Freeply of Nigel Havers College, Kettering, claims that, whilst the government's elephantine analysis may be correct, it fails to take into account other, equally lethal objects which can fly around a car's interior in a crash.

'I think the DoT has oversimplified things with their pachyderm-based guidance,' Prof Freeply claims. 'That's why I have produced a handy chart which will give people an instant ready reckoner for accidents. For example, I have calculated that a tissue box on the back shelf of a car would hit the driver with the same impact as a medium-sized guinea pig, whilst a ladies' handbag would smash into the back of your head with a force equivalent to a King Charles spaniel or a very fat kitten.'

Prof Freeply is also keen to stress that it's not just the obvious items that can harm you in a crash. 'Many motorists may assume that something flat and relatively light like a CD case poses no threat,' he says. 'My complex calculations show that in fact in a collision the driver may be hit with a force equivalent to a full-grown skate or sole. Furthermore, you know those air fresheners you can stick to the vents in your car? They may seem flimsy enough, but in an impact you would experience something like having a field mouse thrown at your face.'

Although the objects/animals chart is still a work in progress, Prof Freeply has dire warning for drivers who ignore his findings: 'Thanks to benchmarks such as the Euro NCAP tests, car buyers are well aware of the dangers posed by unyielding parts of car interiors and inadequate airbag provision, but they are blissfully ignorant of the simple fact that in a crash they will literally be bombarded with animals and fish.'

And how many animals were harmed in this extensive fact finding exercise :?:

[lee celtic]

So is there another chart for you to  convert the other way ???

1 fat dog = 6 tins of sweets a video camera and a couple of cans of cola??

Anybody got change of a gerbil :lol:

[Dirty Gertie]

So is there another chart for you to  convert the other way ???

1 fat dog = 6 tins of sweets a video camera and a couple of cans of cola??

Yebbut, surely you can't record footage on a fat dog??








I'll get my coat........

[thermidorthelobster]

I think it's quite useful research, actually.  You can work out what you wouldn't mind being hit in the back of the head with, and use that to plan your loading.

For example, at a push, I think I could put up being troughed into by an alsatian, which means I don't need to lash down my air compressor any more.

David

[Dirty Gertie]

For example, at a push, I think I could put up being troughed into by an alsatian, which means I don't need to lash down my air compressor any more.

David

Erm, let me get this right,......
 you have an Alsatian with corners??

or  


A furry compressor?










I'll get my coat, again..........

[Sooty]

Anybody got change of a gerbil :lol:

I will see your gerbil and raise you two white mice 8)

[Wanderer]

I'll see your fat guide dog.....  8)
Whoops no I can't...


Ed