Crash protection

[Dr Jekyll]

Suppose I had the misfortune to go head on into a concrete block while driving a modern car with crumple zones, airbags etc.

What kind of speed could I hit at with a reasonable chance of avoiding a hospital stay? And roughly what speed would mean no chance of survival even with all these gadgets?

My guess is 20 odd MPH to stagger away, and a chance of surviving anything up to 50 or so.

[Pints]

What car are we talking here? A Daihatsu or a Daimler Benz?

[Dr Jekyll]

Something like a Focus or Golf.

[Accelebrate]

I'd fancy my chances of hitting one of those at VMax...

[dylan0451]

straight, head on into a completely immovable object? wouldn't have thought much more than 20-30mph before you start breaking bones - collar, sternum etc.

i hit a defender broadside and fairly quickish pace once, broke quite a few bones, but the fact that a lot of energy was used up crumpling and moving the thing probably saved me, i don't expect the outcome would have been the same had it been a bridge pillar etc.

[powwerr]

I wrote my Corsa B off acting like a silly little boy and rear ended a stationary hackney taxi at about 20/30ish

Neither me or my passenger had a seatbelt on (yes silly little boy) and both of us got out the car and pushed it (with a little help) out the way. No worries.

The hackney had spun across the box junction and was sat at the other side of the lights.

Lesson learned and all, i was 17.