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In reply to the discussion: "She stood up on her seat, raised her fists in the air and yelled, 'Airbags!'” [View all]obxhead
(8,434 posts)First off, this is an awesome story.
First the rear crumple zone worked. The trunk collapsed to help absorb the impact and direct it towards the outside of the car. Then, as the airbags deployed and the front crumple zone started to collapse, the motor likely dropped free creating a larger front crumple zone.
Regulations! would have been a better cry of triumph.
I've recently been searching for a cheap high mpg car and cheap means old in most cases. At least for my kind of cheap. I've been test driving some cars that are 20+ years old and I am amazed by how BAD the "new and safe" cars I used to drive like a maniac are. There's a huge difference between a '92 and an '02.
Part of that is general technology, but regulations FORCED even the low end cars to adopt these options from luxury cars.
Regulations likely saved this woman's life. I'm thankful that they continue to be upgraded and enforced.