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ADAC: 50mph crash-test shows weaknesses even in top-rated cars

ADAC: 50mph crash-test shows weaknesses even in top-rated cars

Nelson Ireson August 20th, 2008 Nelson Ireson By Nelson Ireson Author August 20th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 The standard EuroNCAP testing procedure requires a 40mph (64km/h) frontal crash test speed, and performance at that level is the basis for the tested car's rating. However, Germany's ADAC testing body wanted to find out what happens if the speed is raised just 10mph (16km/h) to 80km/h (50mph), and did so by testing the Renault Laguna sedan, a top performer in the standard tests. The results are surprising. Raising the speed by just 10mph (16km/h) resulted in nearly 50% more energy to be dissipated by the car's crumple zones, effectively exceeding their capacity. The increased energy resulted in a significant increase in risk of injury to all occupants, especially the driver, reports Autobild. The testing showed that the driver's chest impacted the steering wheel despite the use of seatbelt and airbags due to the added speed, while the crumpling body of the car pushed the dashboard into the driver's knees, risking injury there as well. The front-seat passenger fared better, with the Laguna's soft plastics minimizing the damage of the dummy's head striking the dashboard despite the presence of an airbag and being seat-belted in as well. The child-sized dummies in the rear seat showed increased risk of injury, but due primarily to the increased force with which they were thrown against the restraints. All of this was from testing of a car that scored a full five-star rating in the 40mph (64km/h) EuroNCAP testing procedure, which is as rigorous as any in the world. The same speed is used in U.S. by the IIHS, while the NHTSA uses a speed of just 35mph (56km/h) in their testing programs, highlighting the potential for cars around the world to require revised accident ratings that more accurately reflect real-world speeds, and also illustrating the effect speed has on the force of an accident. The ADAC recommends wider application of active safety equipment such as traction control and braking aids to help avoid accidents and reduce speeds when accidents are unavoidable as the most realistic way to reduce the risk of high-speed travel. Sufficiently strengthening a car to withstand high-speed collisions is likely not practical due to manufacturing, costs and fuel-efficiency considerations.
ADAC: 50mph crash-test shows weaknesses even in top-rated cars

ADAC: 50mph crash-test shows weaknesses even in top-rated cars

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The standard EuroNCAP testing procedure requires a 40mph (64km/h) frontal crash test speed, and performance at that level is the basis for the tested car's rating. However, Germany's ADAC testing body wanted to find out what happens if the speed is raised just 10mph (16km/h) to 80km/h (50mph), and did so by testing the Renault Laguna sedan, a top performer in the standard tests. The results are surprising.

Raising the speed by just 10mph (16km/h) resulted in nearly 50% more energy to be dissipated by the car's crumple zones, effectively exceeding their capacity. The increased energy resulted in a significant increase in risk of injury to all occupants, especially the driver, reports Autobild. The testing showed that the driver's chest impacted the steering wheel despite the use of seatbelt and airbags due to the added speed, while the crumpling body of the car pushed the dashboard into the driver's knees, risking injury there as well.

The front-seat passenger fared better, with the Laguna's soft plastics minimizing the damage of the dummy's head striking the dashboard despite the presence of an airbag and being seat-belted in as well. The child-sized dummies in the rear seat showed increased risk of injury, but due primarily to the increased force with which they were thrown against the restraints.

All of this was from testing of a car that scored a full five-star rating in the 40mph (64km/h) EuroNCAP testing procedure, which is as rigorous as any in the world. The same speed is used in U.S. by the IIHS, while the NHTSA uses a speed of just 35mph (56km/h) in their testing programs, highlighting the potential for cars around the world to require revised accident ratings that more accurately reflect real-world speeds, and also illustrating the effect speed has on the force of an accident.

The ADAC recommends wider application of active safety equipment such as traction control and braking aids to help avoid accidents and reduce speeds when accidents are unavoidable as the most realistic way to reduce the risk of high-speed travel. Sufficiently strengthening a car to withstand high-speed collisions is likely not practical due to manufacturing, costs and fuel-efficiency considerations.

Tags: Safety, Renault

Posted in: News


Comments (9 total)

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  1. By Laz #1, Posted: 8/20/2008

    Would exterior air-bags help reduce the added energy due to higher speeds?

  2. By Sara #2, Posted: 8/20/2008

    Great analysis. I guess this is an argument for driving slower.

  3. By Jason #3, Posted: 8/20/2008

    Manufacturers build the cars to pass the test - nothing more it would seem...

  4. By Gus #4, Posted: 8/20/2008

    No, they tried that on smashlab, and the airbags couldn't deal with the forces.

    They need to be very careful here. A car that can protect you from an 80mph crash will not be as good at protecting you from a 40mph crash. The reason being the car would need to be much stiffer and the crush zone less forgiving to resist the added force. What happens then is that stiffness transfers the force at a quicker rate to the occupants of the slower crash.

    From what I understand, the majority of accidents have a closure rate of 30-40mph due to braking or skidding before impact. There will always be those really high speed accidents where no one survives, but it's important to address and design for the most common accidents first...

  5. By justin #5, Posted: 8/20/2008

    Look its an orange, its an blimp, no its a saab...

  6. By NoNameDenton #6, Posted: 8/20/2008

    Adding more safety features also raises the prices of the cars and since car makers are businesses out to make a profit, that is bed, because higher prices will mean a drop in sales.

  7. By absi #7, Posted: 8/21/2008

    No matter how safe we make the cars, driving habits also need to be changed.
    Somehow it seems easier for some people to say that "Manufacturers build the cars to pass the test - nothing more it would seem…" and to say the least is not a fair argument.

    Also human body cannot cope with the sudden deceleration that occurs when you hit an object. imagine going from 60mph-0mph in the span of 2 sec (if not lesser).

    Cars today are a lot safer than the cars from say the 80's and 70's but there havent been many breakthroughs in driver training.

    Lets not forget that operating any sort of machine carries the risk of getting injured, cars are a big machine and we need to learn to control it and drive more attentively.

    I see so many people, talking on the phone, shaving, applying their makeup etc while driving.

    If you dont care for your life then please care about others on the road... not everyone leaves the house with a death wish....

  8. By Renton #8, Posted: 8/21/2008

    absi is dead on. The best way to survive an accident is to not get in one in the first place.

    Oh... and the makeup thing is just about the most retarded thing ever. Don't get me started, Why can't you do it at home with your better mirror, or wait until you get to your destination? You're so vain, bizzitches.

  9. By Bender #9, Posted: 8/21/2008

    I also fully agree with absi.

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