Citation

O'neill B. Accid. Reconstr. J. 2003; 14(6): 30-32.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The article examines the crash compatibility of cars involved in a crash. The specific question involves a crash between a pickup truck or sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a typical passenger car. The two safety concerns discussed are: the risk for people in the crash partner car, specifically whether the design characteristics of SUVs or pickup trucks increase the risks for people in crash partner cars; the second concern involves the risks for people in SUVs, pickups, or cars in all kinds of crashes, not just two vehicle collisions with crash partner cars. The safety concerns discussed focus on the weight mismatches and also mismatches involving vehicle geometry and stiffness when cars collide with SUVs and pickup trucks. The article looks at the following: self protection versus crash partner protection; death rates in all vehicles; crash partner risks; balancing self and partner protection; and, perspective on the issue of imcompatibility.