Call me crazy. Tell me I'm a skeptic. Let me know if you think I'm living in the past.
But will somebody please explain to me how the SmartCarfortwo got the blessings of national safety experts this week?
Somebody help me...please.
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety gave the Smart Car a passing grade a few days ago, saying the tiny little two-seater that's become oh-so-popular in these tough fuel times is - well, safe. The IIHS reported that the vehicle's rigidity during impact crashes and its side airbags (quote) "contributed to the low injury recordings to the test dummy."
Test dummy? I know, I know, lighten up, you say.
But, did the IIHS use a full-size pickup for its crash findings? What about a VW Bug? Soap Box Derby racer? Bicycle? Has anybody actually asked the test dummy how it felt afterwards?
While I'm sure the manufacturers of the Smart Car have done everything possible to make sure the vehicle is safe for consumers, you just can't get over how little the thing is.
Call me crazy. I only wish my daddy was here to see this.
It may be small, but it was built with safety in mind as well as being light weight and efficient. Since it's so light, running the Smart into a wall created less force as opposed to slamming a 2 ton truck into a wall. Less force means less damage on impact. I know I wouldn't want to be on the Smart end of a wreck with a semi!
Posted by: ckroll98 | May 19, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Everone thought the Mini Cooper was small and would be unsafe. Just because it's small doesn't mean it's unsafe. There were times when the larger trucks received poor safety ratings. When you get 4,500 pounds of mass moving at 60 mph, it makes a lot bigger mess than when 1,300 pounds hit a wall at 60. Common physics. Space age metals and latest technology in crumple zones, airbags, and seatbelts make a big impact in the amount of damage the dummy sustains.
Posted by: PeculiarPoPo | May 19, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Maybe the science is right, but I'm still skeptical. A big part of safety is feeling safe as well. I'm sorry, but I just wouldn't feel safe in that thing.
Posted by: axel76 | May 28, 2008 at 11:21 PM
This wouldn't have been possible decades ago. But technology is keeping up with the demand for smaller vehicles. It's possible to have small and safe.
Posted by: fixit | May 30, 2008 at 04:52 AM
I agree, it might be small but larger cars are said to flip easier. Anyway,once people find out that driving slower can save as much as 30 percent on gas, they might slow down.
Posted by: Emma | May 30, 2008 at 11:59 AM
It still seems to small for me! I would totally drive it, but not on the highway.
Posted by: Jonathan | May 30, 2008 at 12:01 PM