Crash Test Dummies

You may have noticed when shopping for a new vehicle that each one has a safety rating and information available about government safety tests. Most safety ratings are the direct result of crash tests using anthropomorphic test devices, better known as crash test dummies. These dummies have been developed and improved over the last 60 years to respond like a human body during a crash.

In 1949, the U.S. Air Force funded the development of the first test dummy for use while testing their aircraft ejection seats. Previous testing had been done using human volunteers until testing became too dangerous. The automotive industry, which was using results from cadaver studies at the time, began developing and using their own crash test dummies. The new dummies were initially used to develop lap and shoulder seat restraints. Over the years, crash dummies have changed in form and size to include male and female versions in adult and child sizes. The sensors inside crash dummies have allowed very sophisticated computer analysis of crash effects with some data being measured thousands of times per second!

Crash dummies have been integral in developing safety features found on most vehicles on the road today including seat & shoulder belts, head restraints, airbags, antilock brakes and traction control. Modern vehicles also sport various passive safety features built into the frame. Newer safety developments are more about crash avoidance including forward collision and lane departure warning systems.

Obviously, these dummies have been working hard. They may not for much longer, however, as developments in computer software and analysis may make the dummies obsolete. For over sixty years, though, crash test dummies have been irreplaceable for auto makers and others in advancing new safety systems.

Ronald F. Wittmeyer, Jr. practices plaintiffs’ personal injury law, and has his office in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Admitted to the practice of law in the State of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mr. Wittmeyer began his practice with a defense firm, where he worked until he founded R. F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. in 1984. With thirty years of experience handling personal injury cases, Ronald Wittmeyer has successfully represented thousands of clients, many of whom have suffered serious or fatal injuries. Currently, Ronald F. Wittmeyer Jr. is a member of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association Board of Directors. For more information on The Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. visit http://injurylawattys.com/.

Auto Safety and You

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is changing its current 5-star Safety Rating System for the 2011 model year. In recent years, almost all vehicles received a 4 or 5 Star rating, essentially making the rating no longer useful. Along with new, stricter standards, the NHTSA has added a new collision rating and included a summary rating which will make comparing vehicles on safety easier.

The 2011 models are the first to be rated under the new system. Crash tests were run using both the traditional medium-sized male dummy and a small female dummy. Also, the added collision test shows results from a vehicle hit by a pole on the side near the driver. This test simulates hitting a narrow stationary object such as a tree. Thus, the ratings are now based on four collision tests; frontal, roll-over, side-impact, and the new side pole collision. Results from the four tests will combine to form an overall safety rating for the vehicle.

Although the new testing has been done on fifty-five new 2011 models, the ratings are not yet on the vehicle window stickers. This has been delayed, in part because the EPA is revising the fuel economy portion of the sticker. Therefore, it looks like the 2012 models will be the first to show both the new safety ratings and the revised fuel ratings. In the meantime, you can see the safety ratings for 2011 vehicles online at Safercar.gov.

GPS Unites Used for Accident Reconstruction

Thanks to the US Department of Defense, twenty-four networked satellites are orbiting the earth 12,000 miles up to provide global positioning anywhere in the world. This global positioning system (GPS) can provide the exact location on earth for a GPS-enabled receiver. This technology is what allows us to have GPS navigation systems in our cars (and elsewhere). These devices aid drivers with step-by-step directions to their destination.

Recently, GPS receivers are also being used to provide essential data for accident reconstruction. Speed and vehicle position will be recorded if a GPS device is in use at the time a crash occurs. This data can then be used by analysts to determine a vehicle’s path and speed before, and even after a collision. Most new vehicles also have an event data recorder. This provides data from rollover sensors and airbags. Thus your Garmin becomes part of the car’s “black box”, though there is no voice recorder (yet!).

When a serious accident occurs, having as much data as possible is essential to reconstruction. Using traditional reconstruction methods and new information provided by the vehicle’s event data recorder and handy navigation system, reconstruction can be done more accurately. Hopefully, this information can be used by the injured parties and those interested in traffic safety.