There are two main problems with debunking auto-related misconceptions. First, not everyone is ready, willing or able to confront the truth. Second, once you debunk something, it doesn’t stay debunked. TTAC’s Bob Elton dealt with the roof crush standard issue in his editorial “The Counterintuitive Truth About Roof Crush Standards” back in June 2006. He argued that increasing roof strength only increases the number of rollover accidents. Common sense: the higher a vehicle’s center of gravity, the more likely it will roll. Elton also revealed that “In 74% of cases, roof intrusion was not a factor. Rollover accidents are fatal because the occupants are usually ejected, or partially ejected, during the crash.” And that’s because… they’re not wearing their seat-belts. And yet, The Detroit News reports that “The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety [IIHS] said Wednesday it will require automakers to dramatically increase the strength of vehicle roofs to receive its top safety pick ratings.” The road to hell? You don’t know the half of it…
Recent Comments
Kyree S. Williams - Gee…you’re right. There are hardly any midsized body-on-frame SUVs. The only ones left (that I can...
Chuck Goolsbee - The changes from S1 to S2 were to meet US Federal safety & emissions mandates, not because what buyers wanted....
Scoutdude - The original “Real Time” system was a big joke. It used a center clutch that was powered by a pair of...
NMGOM - Alex, Great article on a complex topic. Thanks. You obviously put a lot of work into it. To show you what a mess of misleading...
Scoutdude - Maybe from the big 3 but International Harvester offered factory installed 4wd starting in the 1955 on their 3/4 ton S-120...
Scoutdude - Yup, a elegant solution.
Scoutdude - Sorry but no the ABS doesn’t care about different tire sizes as it looks at the rate of deceleration to determine if...
Derek Kreindler - Read the Rick Wagoner chapter and you’ll see what I mean. Lutz portrays him as a nice man who was too slow to react, but...
Greg Locock - “and if three wheels lost traction the remaining wheel can consume all 100% of available power.” No....
CJinSD - Your experiences do not have much to do with mine. Anything is possible in a light FWD car on narrow all season tires right...