Chat & Social > The Bar - General Chat
banning bull bars
V8MoneyPit:
The problem with bull bars is their use on more modern vehicles with deformable structures (crumple zones). Fitment of a rigid bar changes the way the car perfoms in a crash. If it doesn't deform properly the energy has to be transmitted elsewhere. If it is another car being hit, the penetration would then be greater with an associated increase in risk of occupant injury.
However, on a ladder frame chassis vehicle, like a Defender for example. There is no designed in deformable structure. Adding a bull bar will therefore have little or no effect on crash penetration of another vehicle.
There are other arguements about pedestrian safety. I am not so sure about the differences there. As previously said, 2 tonnes of vehicle are going to do a fair bit of damage anyway.
Bob696:
--- Quote ---I suppose a matter for concern would be when people fit bull bars and feel safer themselves so take risks that they might not normally take due to bravado or whatever.
--- End quote ---
Its called "Risk compensation" and is much talked about in "powered 2 wheels" circles (pun not intended). In a nutshell, the more at risk you feel the more care you take when driving. To improove driving standards T. E Lawrence suggested that all cars be fitted with a 6" spike on the steering wheel (this was in the 1920s!!!)
In the 70s, 80s and 90s most of the crap drivers drove Volvo 240s as they were deemed to be the safetest car on the road for the occupants, they felt safer so they took more risks and caused more accidents. Today these people drive "urban 4x4s". If they are banned they will switch to something else that is advertised as "safe".
School run, ha! "The roads arnt safe any more so I am going to take little Johnny to school in the car".
On the rare occasion I get to leave school at 3.15 I dont bother. It takes 30 mins for the traffic jam to clear outside the school.
I have never heard road safety mentioned in a classroom (the goverment must have forgot to put it into the National curriculum) and I agree that pedestrians should shoulder some of the resposability for their actions (and parents of young kids should remember to hold their hands near a road).
God help all motorists if "No fault liability" is ever introduced as some safety campaigners want :roll:
V8MoneyPit:
Spot on. If you ask most people what makes a car 'safe' they will comment on air bags, vehicle size, seat belts, etc. Some may mention side impact bars and deformable structure. All secondary safety. But few people will mention anything to do with primary safety. Like vehicle handling, ABS brakes and the most important of all, the feeling of vulnerability!
hobbit:
--- Quote from: "V8MoneyPit" ---Spot on. If you ask most people what makes a car 'safe'
--- End quote ---
not having a loose nut behind the wheel helps :? :lol: :lol:
Wanderer:
I'd heard the bit about a spike in the steering wheel before. A bit like when I go to the dentist and cup his you know whats and say "this won't hurt me will it?"
Self preservation is a wonderful thing. Defensive driving and thinking the other guy will do whatever you least expect helps.
Ed
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