hypothetical crash...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,265
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
I think hitting a stationary object at 100 MPH in a road car and surviving is nearly impossable. But there are many variables.
We've all seen wrecks in auto racing that looked fatal but the drivers walked away. On the other hand, we've seen "not-so-bad" looking wrecks to find that the driver was killed (Earnhardt).
We've all seen wrecks in auto racing that looked fatal but the drivers walked away. On the other hand, we've seen "not-so-bad" looking wrecks to find that the driver was killed (Earnhardt).
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 271
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From: Dexter, Michigan, USA
2002 C230k
Originally posted by dcl_C220CDI
Found this on the web (sorry can't remember where it was months ago), 40mph frontal crash - I don't think I'd want to be in it at 100!!
Found this on the web (sorry can't remember where it was months ago), 40mph frontal crash - I don't think I'd want to be in it at 100!!
Yikes!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Obama Land
K Car
I'm glad to hear that people on this board are taking Youngs question with the seriousness that it deserves. I think Benzo's picture of the E class wreck makes a strong statement as well. It is true that this 16 yr old driver was inexperienced, but this could very easily have been anyone, experienced or not. I bet many people have had an experience like MB-BOB, where something unexpected happened. I remember someone on this board wrecking their car because a dog ran out in front of them, and he swerved out of the way and hit a wall.
Like everyone else, I enjoy "putting the pedal to the medal" every now and then. But as I've gotten older, I find myself doing it less and less, and I'm more conscious of the road, traffic, visibility conditions than I used to be.
Like everyone else, I enjoy "putting the pedal to the medal" every now and then. But as I've gotten older, I find myself doing it less and less, and I'm more conscious of the road, traffic, visibility conditions than I used to be.
Admin Alumni
Joined: Nov 2001
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See Garage
Originally posted by revstriker
... But as I've gotten older, I find myself doing it less and less, and I'm more conscious of the road, traffic, visibility conditions than I used to be.
... But as I've gotten older, I find myself doing it less and less, and I'm more conscious of the road, traffic, visibility conditions than I used to be.
I am no "Granny" with my car. Just much more aware with experience that the freakiest things can happen.
That's also why the only old motorcyclist is an EX-motorcyclist. Not throwing any flames. Just trotting out a catch phrase you can giggle about with fond memories of the forum when you use it 30-years from now.
Last edited by MB-BOB; Mar 8, 2002 at 11:08 AM.
Senior Member
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Buick Park Avenue Ultra
This reminds me of an accident that killed a high school friend of mine. (Keep in mind that I'm only 19 now.)
It was Oct. 6, 2000, my birthday, and he was driving home from a party around 1AM out on a rural road. He was driving his 98 (I believe) black Dodge Ram, and was going about 40 km/h over the posted speed limit. He was on a gravel road, and didn't see the bend in it. His truck went over the edge, into the ditch, hit the side of the ditch, flipped over in the air, and landed in a farmers field upside down. Since it was in a rural area, no one found him for 6 hours. The weather was below freezing for most of the night. Very unfortunately, he did not make it. He had one other passenger in the truck, who also went to high with me, who did survive. The only reason, they say, that the passenger survived is because the body heat from the dying driver kept him alive.
It's horrible to see people die so young! Especially when you know them. It really hit us all hard going to that funeral.
Tim
(BTW: benzo, have you read that book?)
It was Oct. 6, 2000, my birthday, and he was driving home from a party around 1AM out on a rural road. He was driving his 98 (I believe) black Dodge Ram, and was going about 40 km/h over the posted speed limit. He was on a gravel road, and didn't see the bend in it. His truck went over the edge, into the ditch, hit the side of the ditch, flipped over in the air, and landed in a farmers field upside down. Since it was in a rural area, no one found him for 6 hours. The weather was below freezing for most of the night. Very unfortunately, he did not make it. He had one other passenger in the truck, who also went to high with me, who did survive. The only reason, they say, that the passenger survived is because the body heat from the dying driver kept him alive.
It's horrible to see people die so young! Especially when you know them. It really hit us all hard going to that funeral.
Tim
(BTW: benzo, have you read that book?)
Last edited by timorgan; Mar 8, 2002 at 11:42 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 271
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From: Dexter, Michigan, USA
2002 C230k
Originally posted by MB-BOB
That's also why the only old motorcyclist is an EX-motorcyclist. Not throwing any flames. Just trotting out a catch phrase you can giggle about with fond memories of the forum when you use it 30-years from now.
That's also why the only old motorcyclist is an EX-motorcyclist. Not throwing any flames. Just trotting out a catch phrase you can giggle about with fond memories of the forum when you use it 30-years from now.
There are old bikers,and there are bold bikers, but there are no old, bold bikers...
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Member
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From: Miami
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Originally posted by MB-BOB
...and just to emphasize... it's really NOT a "getting older" issue, IMO. It IS a "getting experienced" issue, instead. I could have said a "getting wiser" issue, but that's not really true. Experience will teach you, regardless of how "wise" you are.
...and just to emphasize... it's really NOT a "getting older" issue, IMO. It IS a "getting experienced" issue, instead. I could have said a "getting wiser" issue, but that's not really true. Experience will teach you, regardless of how "wise" you are.
I agree with you 100%, I'm only 23 but have had enough unexpected things happen to me on the road while speeding to make me slow down. My girlfriend and friends joke that I drive to slow( mind you usually 5 - 15 miles over speed limit), none of them understand that in a split second your life can change for the worse. I once helped some people that had been and an accident where their car flipped several times, luckily they lived but with scars that'll stay with them forever. Sorry for the sermon but excessive speeding just isn't safe no matter how experieced you are.
Sal
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From: Dexter, Michigan, USA
2002 C230k
Originally posted by benzomonterey
35 MPH is equivalant to dropping three stories straight down on the nose.
100MPH is equivalant to 10 stories straight down on the nose.
35 MPH is equivalant to dropping three stories straight down on the nose.
100MPH is equivalant to 10 stories straight down on the nose.
Explanation: At 1G, 35 mph = 1.6 seconds, 100 mph = 4.6 seconds... 35mph takes 41 feet, 100mph takes 340 feet... Correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while and I went through it kinda fast... and of course this neglects drag...
Any skydivers here know how long it takes them to hit terminal velocity???
Out Of Control!!
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From: Obama Land
K Car
Originally posted by Spyke
Not to expose too much of my nerdiness, but according to my quick calculations... if 35mph = 3 stories, 100mph is closer to 25 stories!
Explanation: At 1G, 35 mph = 1.6 seconds, 100 mph = 4.6 seconds... 35mph takes 41 feet, 100mph takes 340 feet... Correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while and I went through it kinda fast... and of course this neglects drag...
Any skydivers here know how long it takes them to hit terminal velocity???
Not to expose too much of my nerdiness, but according to my quick calculations... if 35mph = 3 stories, 100mph is closer to 25 stories!
Explanation: At 1G, 35 mph = 1.6 seconds, 100 mph = 4.6 seconds... 35mph takes 41 feet, 100mph takes 340 feet... Correct me if I'm wrong, it's been a while and I went through it kinda fast... and of course this neglects drag...
Any skydivers here know how long it takes them to hit terminal velocity???
