Comments on: Ever Wondered How You would Fare in a 70MPH Head On Collision Driving a Smart Car? http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/ General interest observations and true web-log. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:46:40 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Miguel http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1471184 Miguel Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:51:28 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1471184 #35, just did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02eghIfyHP0 Seems like a couple broken necks inside the Smart... Can you imagine going spiral at that speed??? #35, just did:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02eghIfyHP0

Seems like a couple broken necks inside the Smart… Can you imagine going spiral at that speed???

]]> By: chris http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470952 chris Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:23:12 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470952 Very sound little car. In most cases it will dissipate energy by sliding about, like a bar of soap. Put it between a jersey wall and a full size car where it can't skitter off and the results would be bad. I've owned a small car before, but not nearly this small. SUVs and trucks would just pull into my lane. I guess they thought in any crash it would be me that paid. Instead of making people buy toy cars why not just stop allowing morons to buy behemoths? Very sound little car. In most cases it will dissipate energy by sliding about, like a bar of soap. Put it between a jersey wall and a full size car where it can’t skitter off and the results would be bad.

I’ve owned a small car before, but not nearly this small. SUVs and trucks would just pull into my lane. I guess they thought in any crash it would be me that paid.

Instead of making people buy toy cars why not just stop allowing morons to buy behemoths?

]]> By: Bogaty http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470833 Bogaty Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:21:42 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470833 Here, IIHS side impacted a Smart: http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=936 It did rather well. Here, IIHS side impacted a Smart:
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=936

It did rather well.

]]> By: edsoto http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470793 edsoto Wed, 14 Jan 2009 02:21:56 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470793 Try a google search of the Smart Car hitting a Mercedes S-Class... :) Try a google search of the Smart Car hitting a Mercedes S-Class…

:)

]]> By: Daniel Dacey http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470692 Daniel Dacey Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:09:11 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470692 An accident at that speed means you are going to die, regardless of the size of the car or truck you are driving. The deceleration on your internal organs will do it every time. That said as a demonstration of the structural integrity of the Smart, it is extremely impressive. An accident at that speed means you are going to die, regardless of the size of the car or truck you are driving. The deceleration on your internal organs will do it every time.

That said as a demonstration of the structural integrity of the Smart, it is extremely impressive.

]]> By: joaoPT http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470597 joaoPT Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:02:33 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470597 32 Miguel: That's what I've told him... 32 Miguel:

That’s what I’ve told him…

]]> By: Miguel http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470578 Miguel Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:35:15 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470578 #29 - 160 is a lot for this tiny car... And it accelerates like hell! And your boss' car must have cost as much as a 'real' car ;) #29 – 160 is a lot for this tiny car… And it accelerates like hell!

And your boss’ car must have cost as much as a ‘real’ car ;)

]]> By: Tippis http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470565 Tippis Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:20:37 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470565 #4 You wouldn't travel at 70mph on your own in a Smart, no. However, you could easily get up to 70mph total speed as you ran into a car going the other way. Also, yes. The people in that car wouldn't exactly jump out and do a jig, but chances are they'd survive and make a full recovery — in the end, that's all that matters. Also, small has been safe for a very very long time now — it's about time the myth about them died. That said, though, the Smart is smaller than most, so I'd still stay away… :P #4 You wouldn’t travel at 70mph on your own in a Smart, no. However, you could easily get up to 70mph total speed as you ran into a car going the other way.

Also, yes. The people in that car wouldn’t exactly jump out and do a jig, but chances are they’d survive and make a full recovery — in the end, that’s all that matters.

Also, small has been safe for a very very long time now — it’s about time the myth about them died. That said, though, the Smart is smaller than most, so I’d still stay away… :P

]]> By: James Hill http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470563 James Hill Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:16:40 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470563 Top Gear > Fifth Gear And you can watch the most recent episodes of both off your favorite torrent. Top Gear > Fifth Gear

And you can watch the most recent episodes of both off your favorite torrent.

]]> By: JoaoPT http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470558 JoaoPT Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:09:04 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470558 Miguel, they're limited at 160KmH (not 100% sure on the figure...). My boss has one with full extras: 1100cc turbocharged 97CV (Bhp ?) airbags, ABS, ASR auto windscreen wipers, the Works... Still won't go over 160...and drinks almost as much as my old 1400cc dual carb Civic (yes, no injection...) Miguel, they’re limited at 160KmH (not 100% sure on the figure…).
My boss has one with full extras: 1100cc turbocharged 97CV (Bhp ?) airbags, ABS, ASR auto windscreen wipers, the Works…
Still won’t go over 160…and drinks almost as much as my old 1400cc dual carb Civic (yes, no injection…)

]]> By: Miguel http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470448 Miguel Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:01:14 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470448 The really important question is: will it blend? (I'd like to see that one) Now, seriously, I watched this TV show on the BBC, in normal TV def the 'explosion' was even more impressive. And they clearly stated nobody would survive such a crash, which was at 100 Km/h (around 60 Mpg). Smarts are so solid Fire Departments have to use special tools to open them up in case of accident. Some people died because emergency workers only had the 'standard' car opener stuff... As for people driving them fast, you'd be amazed at what we in Europe see Smarts doing on highways! They're fast as hell (routinely overtaking me over legal speed limits, 120 Km/h), and their owners take advantage of it. Inside one doesn't have a feel of insecurity, much the opposite, a nimble and stable car. Hence the danger. I guess it's kind of like riding a motorcycle. It's fun, but with risks. If only people could be made more aware of those risks... The really important question is: will it blend?

(I’d like to see that one)

Now, seriously, I watched this TV show on the BBC, in normal TV def the ‘explosion’ was even more impressive. And they clearly stated nobody would survive such a crash, which was at 100 Km/h (around 60 Mpg).

Smarts are so solid Fire Departments have to use special tools to open them up in case of accident. Some people died because emergency workers only had the ’standard’ car opener stuff…

As for people driving them fast, you’d be amazed at what we in Europe see Smarts doing on highways! They’re fast as hell (routinely overtaking me over legal speed limits, 120 Km/h), and their owners take advantage of it. Inside one doesn’t have a feel of insecurity, much the opposite, a nimble and stable car. Hence the danger.

I guess it’s kind of like riding a motorcycle. It’s fun, but with risks. If only people could be made more aware of those risks…

]]> By: B. Dog http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470433 B. Dog Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:24:38 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470433 Did they catch the teenager driving it, or did he run off like they always do? Did they catch the teenager driving it, or did he run off like they always do?

]]> By: The Monster's Lawyer http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470372 The Monster's Lawyer Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:07:29 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470372 # 7 dusanmal - I loved my CRX. I was T-boned on the interstate after spinning out in standing water. A guy in a Expedition hit me at 60 mph +/- 5 mph. Took out the driver side door but did not break it's window! When he was coming at me I had time to undo my seat belt and lean away from the driver side door and ponder the impending pain. I was not hurt in the least. The CRX body was bent so I ended up replacing the door and selling it. As far as one of these ugly cars, I would have died of embarrassment way before hitting the wall. # 7 dusanmal – I loved my CRX. I was T-boned on the interstate after spinning out in standing water. A guy in a Expedition hit me at 60 mph +/- 5 mph. Took out the driver side door but did not break it’s window! When he was coming at me I had time to undo my seat belt and lean away from the driver side door and ponder the impending pain. I was not hurt in the least. The CRX body was bent so I ended up replacing the door and selling it.

As far as one of these ugly cars, I would have died of embarrassment way before hitting the wall.

]]> By: Paddy-O http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470357 Paddy-O Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:35:29 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470357 I'm not surprised. Do the same test with a bicycle. Now, try a head on with an SUV, that's a more likely scenario than a wall... I’m not surprised. Do the same test with a bicycle.

Now, try a head on with an SUV, that’s a more likely scenario than a wall…

]]> By: John E. Quantum http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/12/ever-wondered-how-you-would-fare-in-a-70mph-head-on-collision-driving-a-smart-car/comment-page-1/#comment-1470309 John E. Quantum Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:41:12 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=36590#comment-1470309 A freind of mine recently saw one of these cars get picked up and moved over one lane by 50 MPH crosswind while crossing the American Legion Bridge near DC. Fortunately there was no resulting collision, but you will never get my freind to ride in one of these smart cars. A freind of mine recently saw one of these cars get picked up and moved over one lane by 50 MPH crosswind while crossing the American Legion Bridge near DC. Fortunately there was no resulting collision, but you will never get my freind to ride in one of these smart cars.

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