Thursday 23rd August 2007

Fat Test Dummies

NCAP pile the pounds on their dummies

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As you sit reading this, eating the healthy lunch you prepared using the latest government nutritional guidelines, spare a thought for the crash test dummies that have been put on the fat fast diet.

Since the 1950s the size of your crash test dummy has been made to simulate the average American, at a surprising 12st 4lb. But with the changes to the 21^st century diet, 22 per cent of British men are now obese, and NCAP have introduced an uber dummy just under 16st.

“Currently our tests use two average-size dummies in the front, and a one and a half year old and three old in the back… we are still going to use these but we are considering looking at how cars compact when adding different size dummies” comments Adrian Hobbs, secretary general of the crash test organisation Euro NCAP.

The fad trends in body shape are not just for the larger types, they are also looking to follow the size 0 trend and introduce a 4ft 11in, 7st 10lb dummy to mimic the lady driver. “It’s not just that women are smaller, it’s that they also sit closer to the steering wheel” adds Mr Hobbs. “If we design a test that will accommodate the larger dummy and the smaller one, you’d have a safer car”.

PH are now trying to source some dummies to represent the people in the office for further testing, we will keep you posted.

[Windymiller]

4'11" woman? I've dated a ruck of women, but never came across (ahem..) one that short! Perfect height for loosening my belt though....

[mchammer89]

Windymiller said:

4'11" woman? I've dated a ruck of women, but never came across (ahem..) one that short! Perfect height for loosening my belt though....

Just in case you happen to have a Kylie in your passenger seat.

[sprinter885]

I'd vote for certain contributors on certain threads to fill some spaces. Sorry is that not very PC?

Mind you Racing Pete should be safe if he gets the servers issue sorted :

[jon-]

I know (and I stress, just KNOW) a girl who's 4ft 11" but probably closer to the "just under 16st" dummy in weight. How is she going to be represented?!

Edited by jon- on Thursday 23 August 14:06

[Neil G60]

I hope they don't start designing cars for people who can't sit a sufficient distance from the steering wheel. I suppose the Nissan Micra exists though.

[T0nup]

Sounds like a good idea to me. As one of the 22% memtioned (Fat B######d) it's about time they considered the impact outcomes for dummies of stouter constititions in vehicles. Only surprised that haven't done it before now.

[Spearmint]

They could always ask me to use my sister-in-law, she's rather portly and also a dummy!

[bencollins]

Cars will be tested for NCAP 5 pie rating.
Anyway, arent moobs natures airbags?

[henrycrun]

Just a shame that people can't be bothered to walk or cycle these days....

Vauxhalls are for lardy boys

[PJ S]

Windymiller said:

4'11" woman? I've dated a ruck of women, but never came across (ahem..) one that short! Perfect height for loosening my belt though....

At 4'10", mine is even better positioned.

[PJ S]

PH said:

PH are now trying to source some dummies to represent the people in the office for further testing, we will keep you posted.

Where do I sign up?

[Mr Jenks]

PH said:

The average American, at a surprising 12st 4lb.

PH said:

a three old in the back…

Are these the same dummy ?

[Munter]

T0nup said:

Sounds like a good idea to me. As one of the 22% memtioned (Fat B######d) it's about time they considered the impact outcomes for dummies of stouter constititions in vehicles. Only surprised that haven't done it before now.

Isn't it just darwin in action? If your so fat that the car cant protect you, thats your choise? Slim down or die fatty! (Munter currently putting on 1 stone a year )

[shadowninja]

It sounds like the physical equivalent of that MP who says we should make the English language simpler eg "bought" should be spelt "bort".

[Cotty]

Pistonheads said:

they are also looking to follow the size 0 trend and introduce a 4ft 11in, 7st 10lb dummy to mimic the lady driver. “It’s not just that women are smaller, it’s that they also sit closer to the steering wheel” adds Mr Hobbs. “If we design a test that will accommodate the larger dummy and the smaller one, you’d have a safer car”.
.

Or they could just teach the women to sit properly

I blame the driving instructors that I have seen with learners glued to the windscreen

[hopper22]

shows how lazy a large proportion of Britons are, and how quickly we are heading towards becoming America, these fat people are probably the same people that have to have massive amounts of torque in an engine so they don't have to reach down and change gears.

[School boy]

hopper22 said:

shows how lazy a large proportion of Britons are, and how quickly we are heading towards becoming America, these fat people are probably the same people that have to have massive amounts of torque in an engine so they don't have to reach down and change gears.

[sidesauce]

PJ S said:

Windymiller said:

4'11" woman? I've dated a ruck of women, but never came across (ahem..) one that short! Perfect height for loosening my belt though....

At 4'10", mine is even better positioned.

Same here and I couldn't agree with you more...

[Ravell]

I thought the UK was metric...

[dingocooke]

mchammer89 said:

Windymiller said:

4'11" woman? I've dated a ruck of women, but never came across (ahem..) one that short! Perfect height for loosening my belt though....

Just in case you happen to have a Kylie in your passenger seat.

LOL...if she was, I doubt Id be driving far; although I might belt her in so she couldnt escape hehe..