Off Topic: Need expert safety advice!
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From: Chicago, IL
2011 E550 4Matic, 2002 M3 Vert
Off Topic: Need expert safety advice!
I know this subject matter is off topic but I couldn't think of a better place to pose this question.
Some of you know I was in a serious car accident recently. My girlfriend was in the car with me for that accident. In the 2mos since that accident she has been involved in TWO more. Both incidents occurred in her 2003 Honda Civic and involved idiotic drivers not paying attention. The second accident was not serious with someone just pulling out in front of her and clipping the bumper. NBD. The most recent occurrence had her stopped at a red light with a texting MORON slamming in to her rear bumper. This caused her to lunge forward and slam her head violently against the steering wheel. She was taken to the hospital via ambulance where she was diagnosed with a concussion and contusions around her chest area. Nothing super serious but she is definitely in a lot of pain at the moment.
My question... Why didn't the seat belt in her Civic tighten up and prevent her from hitting the steering wheel so hard? I thought this was a standard feature in all cars by 2003 but I could be mistaken. Is this sort of feature still optional today? I ask because I'm tossing around the idea of buying her a safer car to drive around in. She's a student, can't afford a new one and drives quite a bit.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Some of you know I was in a serious car accident recently. My girlfriend was in the car with me for that accident. In the 2mos since that accident she has been involved in TWO more. Both incidents occurred in her 2003 Honda Civic and involved idiotic drivers not paying attention. The second accident was not serious with someone just pulling out in front of her and clipping the bumper. NBD. The most recent occurrence had her stopped at a red light with a texting MORON slamming in to her rear bumper. This caused her to lunge forward and slam her head violently against the steering wheel. She was taken to the hospital via ambulance where she was diagnosed with a concussion and contusions around her chest area. Nothing super serious but she is definitely in a lot of pain at the moment.
My question... Why didn't the seat belt in her Civic tighten up and prevent her from hitting the steering wheel so hard? I thought this was a standard feature in all cars by 2003 but I could be mistaken. Is this sort of feature still optional today? I ask because I'm tossing around the idea of buying her a safer car to drive around in. She's a student, can't afford a new one and drives quite a bit.
Any and all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks.
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I believe the pyrotechnic seat belt pre-tensioners you are referring to only activate in a frontal impact, if the vehicle is so equipped. Rear impact forces you backward (initially at least).
http://www.carsp.ca/hitech/hitech_pretensioners.htm
http://www.carsp.ca/hitech/hitech_pretensioners.htm
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Wow, that's terrible! Odd that the belt didn't tighten.
To be honest, I'd work with her on it and do whatever you guys can to get her into something a bit newer and safer than an '03 Civic (you don't even want to see how that thing would handle today's standardized testings). Even a newer Civic, etc. would be good. Even for the non-safety paranoid, IMO, anything released by '07 and up should be modernized in terms of safety performance, when it comes to mass-market cars (Luxury Cars obviously are ahead several years in this respect).
To be honest, I'd work with her on it and do whatever you guys can to get her into something a bit newer and safer than an '03 Civic (you don't even want to see how that thing would handle today's standardized testings). Even a newer Civic, etc. would be good. Even for the non-safety paranoid, IMO, anything released by '07 and up should be modernized in terms of safety performance, when it comes to mass-market cars (Luxury Cars obviously are ahead several years in this respect).
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2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
What about a used Volvo S60? Maintenance isn't too bad if you take it to the right places. I am still a believer in mass despite obvious advancement in safety in all sizes of cars...
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I'd go with a newer Honda because of the overall quality, reliability and servicing costs.
Now, back to the accident - let me check into the locking mechanism the older Honda uses but it may have been defective.
Now, back to the accident - let me check into the locking mechanism the older Honda uses but it may have been defective.
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If not willing to give her your car, could try National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and see if they have list of safest cars. Also, spend some time at library looking through past issues of Consumer Reports. They do extensive reporting on safety systems in cars.
Maybe google Safest Cars?
Maybe google Safest Cars?
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
A related point from a prior posting:
This is an interesting subject . . . and it points out some things we maybe ought to think more about. Especially for people like me who hate those dorky head rests up so high on those silly pillars, making the interior look so uncool.
Recently, somebody I know, a woman 68 years old, driving a Lincoln Towncar, hit a patch of black ice at speed on a 2 lane highway. Her car did a 180 on the ice, crossed into the oncoming lane, and plowed, ~rear-first~, into the front of a Toyota Tundra (think Ford F-150). She was killed instantly. (The Tundra driver was OK.)
Now, assuming her seatbelt was on, and air bags worked as designed, considering the dynamics of the crash, I can think of only one thing that would kill somebody in a heavy car crashing like that --- her head and neck may have been ~above~ the lowered headrest. That would snap the neck instantly. A lowered head rest can be as deadly as a gallows in a rear collision.
This is an interesting subject . . . and it points out some things we maybe ought to think more about. Especially for people like me who hate those dorky head rests up so high on those silly pillars, making the interior look so uncool.
Recently, somebody I know, a woman 68 years old, driving a Lincoln Towncar, hit a patch of black ice at speed on a 2 lane highway. Her car did a 180 on the ice, crossed into the oncoming lane, and plowed, ~rear-first~, into the front of a Toyota Tundra (think Ford F-150). She was killed instantly. (The Tundra driver was OK.)
Now, assuming her seatbelt was on, and air bags worked as designed, considering the dynamics of the crash, I can think of only one thing that would kill somebody in a heavy car crashing like that --- her head and neck may have been ~above~ the lowered headrest. That would snap the neck instantly. A lowered head rest can be as deadly as a gallows in a rear collision.
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Sorry to read this , I think whiplash or something like this Volvo was the 1st to introduce in their headrests to minimize the shock of the impact on the neck . I dislike the way Volvos look though 
Safest ? I don't think Volvos are alone in the safest category
Safest ? I don't think Volvos are alone in the safest category
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AWESOME car. I've done a lot of research on this very subject (safest cars for under $20K) as it was exactly what I was looking for as a work-horse second car.
To keep it concise:
New Focus is an incredibly well engineered car for its intent and price point, very safe,
Chevy Cruz
Hyundai Sonata (Used for for good deals)
Chevy Malibu (had one, great appliance car),
etc. etc.
To keep it concise:
New Focus is an incredibly well engineered car for its intent and price point, very safe,
Chevy Cruz
Hyundai Sonata (Used for for good deals)
Chevy Malibu (had one, great appliance car),
etc. etc.
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From: Chicago, IL
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Thanks for the input everyone. It's great to know even though I have an off topic dilemma that I can still come here for sincere help.
K-A: Did you end up buying the Focus? She does love hatchbacks.
K-A: Did you end up buying the Focus? She does love hatchbacks.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I didn't buy it as my priorities for second car changed and if I decide to get one I can now choose something a bit more "spirited", but I have driven a couple as Rental cars, one was a loaded Hatchback (good smelling Leather, "budget priced techy" infotainment system, and an A/C digital control unit that almost rivals the E-Class in refinement, and is probably even more refined than the crude unit found in all other M-B's including the CLS and upcoming SL (the one that came originally from the C-Class).
Very solid car, great build quality, almost "budget Benz-ish" in a way. I heard they benchmarked Mercedes in fit and finish and/or material quality and it shows in some areas. The doors sound like they're doing their best "Benz" impression as well (nice solid metallic thud).
Handles well, is zippy, and actually can be fun to drive. Also, pick up is good, all things considered, and it gets amazing gas mileage. The only issue I've noticed with a couple that I drove (one was on a test drive when I was considering it) was some rattles in the dash area).
Keep in mind, I'm judging this as a $15-17K car (what you can find Used ones for).
One knock against the standard versions, however, is that it doesn't come with Cruise Control (to my dismay as I took it on a 600 mile trip).
Very solid car, great build quality, almost "budget Benz-ish" in a way. I heard they benchmarked Mercedes in fit and finish and/or material quality and it shows in some areas. The doors sound like they're doing their best "Benz" impression as well (nice solid metallic thud).
Handles well, is zippy, and actually can be fun to drive. Also, pick up is good, all things considered, and it gets amazing gas mileage. The only issue I've noticed with a couple that I drove (one was on a test drive when I was considering it) was some rattles in the dash area).
Keep in mind, I'm judging this as a $15-17K car (what you can find Used ones for).
One knock against the standard versions, however, is that it doesn't come with Cruise Control (to my dismay as I took it on a 600 mile trip).
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2010 E550 coupe
I had a 2003 Ford Focus. Well engineered for the price. Good to drive as well - felt very nimble.
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For the record, I'm talking about the 2012 Focus. I'm sure the earlier ones were also good bang for the bucks, but from what everybody says, and based on my own experiences driving both generations of Focus (2012 and a 2010), the new one is on another level of quality and engineering put into it.
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Two other vehicles I would encourage you to test drive in the sub-20k price range are the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte. Really great cars and a notch up in nicer interior materials than the Ford. At least to my senses. I purchased an Elantra Touring for my daughter when she first got her drivers license, and that thing has served for three trouble free years of driving. Not a creak or a rattle has developed. Just a good little car.
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From: Chicago, IL
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Hyperion: Thanks man, I hope so too. The important thing is nobody is seriously hurt which we're thankful for everyday. Experts?? LOL!!!
Thanks everyone else for the thoughtful replies. In addition to the Focus I'm going to consider the Elantra as well. I had actually thought of that car for someone else and it actually makes good sense in the case too.
Thanks everyone else for the thoughtful replies. In addition to the Focus I'm going to consider the Elantra as well. I had actually thought of that car for someone else and it actually makes good sense in the case too.
