Date:         Wed, 29 Apr 1998 14:18:51 +0200
Reply-To:     "J.W.Brier" <Jan@HRPS.DEMON.NL>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "J.W.Brier" <Jan@HRPS.DEMON.NL>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Crashworthiness
Comments: To: Charles Michuax <cmichaux@carolinanet.com>
Comments: cc: Vanagon list <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash
> tested one of our beloved bricks at 35 mph head-on into a fixed barrier.

Actually that's not a very good test. You will find that there are very few fixed barriers getting in your way. Most accidents happen when other - moving - vehicles get in your way (or you get in theirs). That's what is being tested more recently and leads to side airbags etc. It also accounts for the difference in test results and statistical data. 

Although often the driver of a VW bus is the first person to arrive at the scene of the accident the statistics do not show the bus to be overly dangerous. Having said that, all cars can be dangerous and should be used occordingly. The VW bus is no acception, but as speed is one of the major contributors to the severity of an accident and our buses are generally not that fast I think it is relatively safe to the occupants. Because they are heavy they could be harmful to other parties involved.

Also, we do care for our vehicles and have a relaxed way of life so, as a consequence, we are the better drivers .................?!


Jan Willem Briër (mr),
High Rise Professional Services, The Netherlands.
_______________________________________________________________________
E-mail: jan@hrps.demon.nl -- Tel. +31 (318) 548857  -- fax +31 (318) 548101
__________________________________________________________________________
Personal web : http://www.hrps.demon.nl  
VW-bus page : http://www.hrps.demon.nl/jwbus.htm
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