My father-in-law just purchased a new Jeep Cherokee. My memory of Jeeps was that they were not very safe vehicles. This concerned me because he is going to drive my young children around in that Jeep. So, I looked up the safety rating for the Cherokee. It turns out that it is a fairly safe vehicle.
Not only is his new car safe, but in general new cars are much safer than cars from even twenty years ago. Watch this video from Wired. The video shows crash tests pitting new cars against similar older model cars. The New Car Assessment Program based in Europe tested a 1997 Rover 100 and its modern equivalent a Honda Jazz (Honda Fit in the United States). The vehicles were run into an offset metal barrier at 40 miles per hour. As Wired describes it:
Advancements in Car Safety
In recent years, there has been a significant improvement in the safety features of automobiles, leading to a notable increase in overall vehicle safety. This progress is exemplified by the case of the Jeep Cherokee, a vehicle traditionally not known for its safety standards. Concerned about the safety of his young children riding in the new Jeep Cherokee purchased by his father-in-law, the individual decided to research the safety ratings of the vehicle. To his relief, he discovered that the Cherokee had a favorable safety rating, alleviating his initial concerns.
The improved safety of modern cars is further highlighted by comparative crash tests conducted by the New Car Assessment Program in Europe. In a compelling video from Wired, these tests involved pitting a 1997 Rover 100 against its contemporary counterpart, a Honda Jazz (known as the Honda Fit in the United States). The vehicles were subjected to a collision with an offset metal barrier at 40 miles per hour, showcasing the advancements in safety technology over the years.
The results of these tests and the broader trend in automobile safety point towards a positive trajectory in enhancing passenger protection and reducing the severity of injuries in car accidents. With innovations in safety features, structural design, and crash avoidance systems, today’s cars offer a significantly safer environment for occupants compared to vehicles from past decades. This evolution underscores the continuous efforts within the automotive industry to prioritize safety and improve the overall crashworthiness of vehicles, providing greater peace of mind to drivers and passengers alike.
The Evolution of Car Safety Standards
The comparison between older and newer vehicles in crash tests vividly illustrates the significant advancements in car safety over the years. In the case of the decades-old Rover, despite having airbags, the protection provided to passengers is notably inadequate. The poorly restrained crash test dummies inside the Rover experience significant risks during a collision: the driver is prone to sliding around, the engine intrudes into the passenger compartment, and the doors deform in a manner that could impede access for emergency responders. These shortcomings highlight the limitations of older car models in safeguarding occupants during accidents.
On the other hand, the Honda demonstrates a marked improvement in passenger protection. The presence of a side curtain airbag helps mitigate the impact on the driver, containing and cushioning them effectively. The structural integrity of the vehicle remains intact, with the metal framework maintaining its rigidity and shape, preventing the transmission of crash forces beyond the windshield. This enhanced safety performance showcases the benefits of modern safety features and design elements in minimizing injury risks for occupants.
A similar comparison conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, involving a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air, further underscores the disparities in safety between older and newer vehicles. The results reveal that the lack of airbags in the Bel Air leads to severe consequences for the test dummy, with significant injuries to the head, neck, and legs due to the compressed passenger compartment. In contrast, the crumple zones in the Malibu effectively absorb and dissipate the collision energy before it reaches critical areas, such as the front windshield, reducing the likelihood of severe injuries.
The continuous integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced airbags and automation systems, into newer vehicles signals a promising trajectory towards even greater safety standards. As automotive manufacturers prioritize innovation and safety enhancements, future cars are poised to provide enhanced protection for drivers and passengers, further reducing the risks associated with road accidents and improving overall vehicle crashworthiness.
The decades-old Rover does a terrible job protecting its passengers. It’s got airbags, sure, but the crash test dummies inside are so poorly restrained that the driver slides around them; the impact drives the engine into the passengers’ legs, and the doors buckle and twist in ways that would make it difficult for emergency crews to access the car.
The dummies in the Honda fare much better. It’s still a gnarly crash, but a side curtain airbag helps cushion and contain the driver, while the metal structures cocooning the passengers remain rigid and retain their shape. The crash forces don’t appear to travel past the windscreen.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performed a similar test pitting a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu against a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Aire. Those two vehicles went head to head on an offset track. The test dummy in the Bel Aire was thrown around due to the lack of airbags. The collision compressed the passenger compartment of the Bel Aire. The test dummy would have suffered significant injuries to the head, neck, and legs. Whereas, the crumple zones in the Malibu dispersed the energy of the collision before it reached the front windshield.
With new technology, including airbags and automation, newer vehicles will continue to get safer.
