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Actually that is only in the case of where a small car is involved in an accident with a large care or truck. But on the original claim; I saw an Austin Mini get into a head on with a midsized SUV Ford, guess which won and was still drivable and which driver was fine, you guessed it the driver driving the better built car, the Mini. The devil is in the details.
It's not just SUVs and it's when a small eco-car is hit by a semi-truck, buss, wall, tree, train, tractor, etc...
I've had a couple family members killed in car accidents. My aunt who was driving a 62 Falcon (pre-CAFE) and a nephew driving a Toyota (post CAFE). If all vehicles are lighter, then E=MC2 comes into play. Two light vehicles impacting expel far less energy than two heavy vehicles.
You can't argue with the data. Since 1969 highway deaths are falling. Lighter, better built cars with safety technologies combined with public awareness of driving under the influence, has made the roads far safer.
You are skewing the facts here. How safe would cars be if safety was paramount, and gas mileage was not forcing unwanted changes to the car materials, design and construction?
The point that cars have become safer, more stable under high speed, better breaking, more maneuverable, better construction. However, at the same time we've had mandatory CAFE standards reducing their safety by making them lighter and using inferior materials.
You are skewing the facts here. How safe would cars be if safety was paramount, and gas mileage was not forcing unwanted changes to the car materials, design and construction?
The point that cars have become safer, more stable under high speed, better breaking, more maneuverable, better construction. However, at the same time we've had mandatory CAFE standards reducing their safety by making them lighter and using inferior materials.
That's a specious argument. As evidenced by the fact that there are very heavy cars in production, and yet they're not using the weight for extra safety features. The Hummer H2 was all the rage not that long ago, and it weighed in at 6600 pounds. Yet the list of safety features is embarrassing as compared to, say, a comparably priced (and lighter!) Mercedes sedan of the same era.
And it is, of course, much easier to make a car brake and handle well if it's not overly heavy. I have no idea where the "inferior materials" argument came in. Making a light car that can still protect its occupants calls for better materials. Higher grade steel, more advanced welding.
Funny little thing. The highest total number of motor vehicle deaths occurred in 1972, during the Nixon years. The next ten deadliest years(by total numbers) in terms of motor vehicles: 1973, 1969, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1980, 1966, 1967, 1978.
Sounds like 1966-1980 in general was quite bad for motor vehicle deaths.
It's not just SUVs and it's when a small eco-car is hit by a semi-truck, buss, wall, tree, train, tractor, etc...
It still does better than when a car from years ago does the same. I love old cars, I own a 1956 Pontiac but cars today regardless of size are safer than ever.
I drive a "eco" car. It's right at the top of the green lists. A VW TDI Jetta Wagon. I'd rather be in it in an accident than any car, large or small from 40 years ago.
You are skewing the facts here. How safe would cars be if safety was paramount, and gas mileage was not forcing unwanted changes to the car materials, design and construction?
The point that cars have become safer, more stable under high speed, better breaking, more maneuverable, better construction. However, at the same time we've had mandatory CAFE standards reducing their safety by making them lighter and using inferior materials.
Lighter does not necessarily equate to inferior. Older cars were thicker, heavier steel. It didn't give. In an accident something has to give. If not the car, it's going to be you.
I will not let my wife or daughter drive a sit low to the ground car.
My truck T-boning a car in the drivers door, my bumper is even with the drivers head.
I couldn't imagine T-boning one of those little fiats or a smart car. That would be carnage.
You're a good man.
My husband is the same way. I drive a F-250. He has the dually.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steven_h
It should be blamed on the hack, not as "a conservative myth."
I hate to break it to you, but most people have different opinions and beliefs. To frame anything so obviously non-partisan as being some kind of political ideology is insane.
It's like saying "conservatives want more car deaths"
What is an acceptable level of extreme wackoism? At some point both sides have to jump off the partisan merry go round and call out BS for what it is; most importantly from their own party.
The OP cited the Carter years as the cause of all this alleged carnage.
IMO, once you throw mud over the fence you'd be pretty damn silly not to expect it be thrown right back at ya.
Dang! I didn't realize this, but it does explain why more and more of my vehicles seem to have some get up and go compared to the older ones.
The automobile manufacturers have done some really amazing things to improve overall performance and safety. I saw a brand new Corvette with a 6.2L engine getting 29 mpg highway.
I don't even think there is a car made that does not have an electronic control module that continuously adjusts the fuel to air ration, and ABS and cruise control are just about standard on everything. Living in the northern part of the country I won't even buy a vehicle now unless, at a minimum, it has AWD and traction control.
The OP cited the Carter years as the cause of all this alleged carnage.
IMO, once you throw mud over the fence you'd be pretty damn silly not to expect it be thrown right back at ya.
Typical.
It was in 1978, during the Carter presidency, that CAFE standards first went into effect to regulate fuel standards on cars, and then in 1979 they went in effect to regulate light trucks. You may not like the truth, but there it is.
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