Head on crash

laissez-faire · 6 May 2008 at 21:16

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7384567.stm

Does that like a new shape Ford Focus to anyone else? Was probably an offset head on impact and it looks like it distributed the load evenly across the front of the car well. Everyone got out alive which is impressive considering the speeds likely involved. If Euro NCAP simulates two cars hitting head on at 40mph then this looks like it must have been at least 50/55 (keep in mind crash energy proportional to square of speed) or just hit something really big like an S-Class.

Skeeter · 6 May 2008 at 21:20

I think it can be safely said that modern cars are exceptionally safe.

But that doesnt stop bad driving.

laissez-faire · 6 May 2008 at 21:24

Skeeter said:
I think it can be safely said that modern cars are exceptionally safe.

But that doesnt stop bad driving.

Interesting paper I read by Landsburg about how people respond to incentives, and that if perfectly informed about the safety of the vehicle you drive that due to incentives of driving fast (i.e. it's fun, you get there quicker) you adjust your driving standards based on how much safer your car is (i.e. your ABS, ESP etc). If you think the idea that people who are in a safer car will drive more dangerously is silly, would you drive MORE carefully if you were in a dangerous car? Probably - and that's really just another way of saying the same thing.

The_Dark_Side · 6 May 2008 at 21:35

^^^
No, I think people who drive like pillocks will do so no matter what car they're driving.

laissez-faire · 6 May 2008 at 21:37

The_Dark_Side said:
^^^
No, I think people who drive like pillocks will do so no matter what car they're driving.

Economists disagree....

I'm sure you agree that if you put a large spike on the steering wheel the chavs would slow down as crash = stab through the heart. Now imagine removing the spike, that makes the chavs speed up again. Safer cars are like removing more 'imaginary' spikes.

The_Dark_Side · 6 May 2008 at 22:10

laissez-faire said:
Economists disagree....

I'm sure you agree that if you put a large spike on the steering wheel the chavs would slow down as crash = stab through the heart. Now imagine removing the spike, that makes the chavs speed up again. Safer cars are like removing more 'imaginary' spikes.

One thing I've learned in all my time on the road, is that people who drive like idiots are rarely doing any kind of thinking at all. People drive a certain way, and if you take a nutter out of a "safe" car and put him in an "unsafe" car he will drive in a similar way.

[TW]Fox · 6 May 2008 at 22:13

laissez-faire said:
Economists disagree....

Why would economists be doing studies into behaviour patterns of drivers?

laissez-faire · 6 May 2008 at 22:26

[TW]Fox;11637964 said:
Why would economists be doing studies into behaviour patterns of drivers?

That's exactly what Economists do these days..... Economics can be applied to anything, I've had to write essays on using Lindahl pricing to determine how high two students will turn up the thermostat in a student flat. It's a very broad subject these days.

[TW]Fox · 6 May 2008 at 22:27

Sounds like the sort of thing you'd get on a worthless psychology degree

Crowze · 6 May 2008 at 22:34

By that logic bikers would be the slowest on the road, when in general the opposite is true. It's a combination of a whole load of factors, but the most prevalent of these is the driver or rider's attitude, as the dark side said.

silversurfer · 6 May 2008 at 22:59

head on crash and the radiator is ok?

Meridian · 6 May 2008 at 23:12

[TW]Fox;11637964 said:
Why would economists be doing studies into behaviour patterns of drivers?

Because dealing with accidents cost a lot of money?

M

[TW]Fox · 6 May 2008 at 23:15

I just thought a behavioural pshcyologist would be better qualified leaving an economist to worry about what Kenysian theory tells us about supply curves with oil.

ZG002 · 6 May 2008 at 23:22

laissez-faire said:
Interesting paper I read by Landsburg about how people respond to incentives, and that if perfectly informed about the safety of the vehicle you drive that due to incentives of driving fast (i.e. it's fun, you get there quicker) you adjust your driving standards based on how much safer your car is (i.e. your ABS, ESP etc). If you think the idea that people who are in a safer car will drive more dangerously is silly, would you drive MORE carefully if you were in a dangerous car? Probably - and that's really just another way of saying the same thing.

Might apply to general public.. But wont wash here. I drive the same im pretty much what ever car im in. But then it is only a theory

The_Dark_Side · 6 May 2008 at 23:23

ZG002 said:
Might apply to general public.. But wont wash here. I drive the same im pretty much what ever car im in. But then it is only made up rubbish by pseudo-intellectuals to justify a fat research grant

Fixed for you.

ZG002 · 6 May 2008 at 23:23

lol cheers mate

The_Dark_Side · 6 May 2008 at 23:24

ZG002 said:
lol cheers mate

If we can help each other along, then it's been a good day for both of us.

ZG002 · 6 May 2008 at 23:28

I think you should be paid a big fat grant for coming up with stuff like that.. least is worth a smile.. unlike the usless information that if something is dangerous as a whole the public will be more careful of it... oh its a shocker alright!

The_Dark_Side · 7 May 2008 at 00:33

ZG002 said:
I think you should be paid a big fat grant for coming up with stuff like that.. least is worth a smile.. unlike the usless information that if something is dangerous as a whole the public will be more careful of it... oh its a shocker alright!

Studies like this are done by people who spend their 9 to 5's in academic institutions. The level of safety my car affords me has absolutely bugger all to do with my behaviour behind the wheel. Sorry to rain on the parade of our learned friends, but that's just how it is.

Tom|Nbk · 7 May 2008 at 00:38

Testament to the strength and safety of the Focus. Amazing they got out ok