IIHS Small Car Test: Three Gruesome Slow-Motion Crash Videos

ChrisSlicks · 04-15-2009, 09:42 AM

These tests, despite being a little extreme, are actually more accurate representation of everyday collisions than the standard federal tests are. The federal tests are head-on offset collision against a stationary object. For the purposes of discussion the stationary object can be considered to have infinite mass, however it has zero momentum. In the real world you are colliding against other vehicles; if you are in a Smart car all the other vehicles are going to be 3, 4, or 5 times your mass. Conservation of momentum tells us that due to these differences in mass that the deceleration of the small car is going to be much more severe than the larger car which is going to conserve some of its momentum. The smart car literally bounced off the Mercedes as a result. The equivalent stationary collision to this 2 vehicle 40mph test would probably be closer to 80mph. So yes these tests have some validity, and they are not the 1% case like they say unless everyone was to start driving smart cars.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
lockout video while car is in motion	nappymike	Audio & Video	18	03-26-2009 02:03 PM
When your driveway is just too small....	WShade	The Lounge (Off Topic)	8	03-05-2009 01:14 AM
370z Crash test video	CSXJoe	The Lounge (Off Topic)	8	03-01-2009 09:07 PM
Dodge Challenger crash test	CSXJoe	The Lounge (Off Topic)	9	02-25-2009 10:20 AM
Next time you park your car in a small spot, think about this	AK370Z	Other Vehicles	3	11-06-2008 10:55 PM

04-15-2009, 09:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 654	These tests, despite being a little extreme, are actually more accurate representation of everyday collisions than the standard federal tests are. The federal tests are head-on offset collision against a stationary object. For the purposes of discussion the stationary object can be considered to have infinite mass, however it has zero momentum. In the real world you are colliding against other vehicles; if you are in a Smart car all the other vehicles are going to be 3, 4, or 5 times your mass. Conservation of momentum tells us that due to these differences in mass that the deceleration of the small car is going to be much more severe than the larger car which is going to conserve some of its momentum. The smart car literally bounced off the Mercedes as a result. The equivalent stationary collision to this 2 vehicle 40mph test would probably be closer to 80mph. So yes these tests have some validity, and they are not the 1% case like they say unless everyone was to start driving smart cars.