Comments on: Old Big Car Versus New Small Car, Take Two

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:49:23 +0000

Agree with Eric…in a 2009, 3000 pound car against a small 2009, 1800 pound car, the larger car, because of its mass, will better protect the occupants, just as school buses, because of their mass, almost always have few injuries to the occupants, as long as they stay upright, and collide with a smaller vehicle–usually the case. The mass of the vehicle helps protect the occupants. As was indicated in the video, it’s very difficult for the designer of a small car to dissipate the energy in a collision to the car versus the occupants. Bicycles and motorcycles, of course, offer little or no protection to the driver.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:45:47 +0000

I agree with Andy. Larger cars carry more momentum, and a lot more force is required to change the speed or direction of the mass. So smaller cars are better able to avoid the collision than larger cars.

The problem only gets worse as the center of gravity gets higher, such is as in SUVs and larger trucks. The higher center of gravity plus the greater mass significantly increase the likelihood of rolling.

The last time I looked at the data, modern mid-size sedans were among the safest vehicles out there for the occupants (SUVs and trucks among the worst).

So if you can’t avoid the accident, you’re likely safer in a modern mid-size than a modern compact. That would be an interesting video to see….

By: Jack

Jack — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:29:53 +0000

While cycling recently, came across a scene with numerous police cars blocking an interception. The relatively new SUV was completely upside down and the only damage (besides to the roof) was a dent in the passenger door, no broken glass. The SUV was attempting a quick left and rolled over after being hit by a small car. One of the officers said “we see this all the time - the center of gravity on these large vehicles is so high”.

Amusingly he wanted to talk about my 35 year old bike and asked how I kept it looking like new. By the way, no one was injured in the “accident”.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:51:47 +0000

I’m confident that small cars have many other advantages as well, which are unfortunately un-documentable.

If a collision is imminent, the common reaction is to brake and swerve. In a small car, that means you might avoid the collision. In a heavier vehicle, that means you might roll, or not be able to stop in time to avoid the collision. So even if all reports say that a big car is safer, they miss ALL the data of how many collisions are avoided by small cars which were able to maneuver away from a collision.