Smart Car, Strong Roof
2009 August 24
Among 2009 micro and minicars, the 2009 Smart ForTwo has the most crush-resistant roof. In testing performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Smart ForTwo’s roof withstood a force of 5.4 times its weight. USA Today DriveOn reports:
The eight-foot, eight-inch Smart ForTwo has the most crush-resistant roof and the Chevrolet Aveo has the weakest among 2009 micro and minicars. The Smart earns the highest rating of good compared with acceptable for the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mini Cooper and Toyota Yaris. The Aveo is rated marginal, the institute said.Smart car executives didn’t miss a beat in responding to the tests. “As our society increasingly turns to small cars, smart proves that small can be safe,” said Dave Schembri, who heads Smart sales in the U.S. “This is the ninth standardized crash test performed by either the federal government or the IIHS that confirms the Smart ForTwo is safe.”
The article continues generally discussing roof crush and occupant containment. Among other important discussions, the article notes:
About 10,000 people a year are killed in rollovers, according to the institute. When vehicles roll, their roofs hit the ground, deform, and crush. Stronger roofs crush less, reducing the risk of injury from contact with the roof itself. The institute also credits stronger roofs with preventing people, especially those who aren’t using safety belts, from being ejected through windows, windshields or doors that have broken or opened because the roof deformed. Roofs that don’t collapse help keep people inside vehicles as they roll. The institute credits electronic-stability control with helping to prevent rollovers in the first place. Side-curtain air bags are also helpful in protecting victims in rollover accidents.
Even though manufacturers seem to be making roofs safer and vehicles less prone to rolling over, these are still serious safety considerations that manufacturers should continue to address.
