On a typical A road, cars usually travel 60MPH or above, and frequently they pass quite close. Say 2 cars travelling on a road like this were doing 60 MPH and they crashed head-on (ie. 120MPH impact). If all passengers/drivers were wearing seatbelts, what do you think the chances of survival are for them ?

 

this is a serious question.

Did you notice that they did not hit exactly hit head on but both virtually came to an instant stop, rolling about 2 - 3 car lenghts after the impact.

they had the cars remote controlled, a volvo (dunno what model, quite a big one though) and a beamer 5 series, both cars were TOTALLY destroyed, to describe it quickly, the beamers steering wheel was in the back seat, there would have been no survivors.

Originally posted by Mike Duffy

 

I'm bowing out of this one now anyway in case anyway starts calling me names!

 

 

Why would 'anyway' call you names?:D

 

 

 

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Zimon, I think Andy is in fact agreeing wiyh you!!?

I should have read all the replies before posting that thread in General Forum cos it seems that Zimon beat me to it!:D

 

that'll teach me to pay attention in future,lol :rolleyes: :D

Originally posted by x-biker

Why would 'anyway' call you names?:D

 

 

 

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Pedant!

Originally posted by Mike Duffy

Pedant!

 

 

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!!:D :D

 

You still hold the crown!

X-biker me old mate! As most people know, this crown has become so tarnished over the last few months that it's a good job I placed it on my balding head with a liberal dose of super glue in the first place. Otherwise, it would have crashed to the floor a long time ago. Probably in a pile of Stella!

I believe that the chaos factor would be ALL important in this scenario. You could take two sets of identical cars and crash them head on at 60 mph. One mm difference in the point of impact, or one of the cars sporting furry dice, would (by virtue of chaos mathematics) result in very different outcomes. A seemingly insignificant change to initial inputs resulting in radically differing outputs is the signature of chaos theory.

 

I would be most surprised if anyone disputes the applicability of chaos to car crashes.

 

The original question was about the probability of survival. It would be possible to approximate this by analysing the results of a statistically significant number of actual incidents. Maybe the DoT or ROSPA might have such figures.

 

On a side note, one of my mates spent a year as a Computer Systems Analyst for Ford in Dagenham. He spent the whole time computer modelling the crash impact on front bumpers, on an IBM mainframe. He tells me with some authority, that a head on collision with a combined speed of 120 mph will almost certainly damage your car - so don't do it.

 

Pip pip!