Car safety news
26/08/2008
The future of online car insurance is safely out there.
Could a time without car crashes really be on the horizon? Online car insurance providers certainly hope so.
The Department for Transport also has a vested interest as it consults with car makers and motoring experts on funding and high-tech design issues that will hopefully result in its target achievement of "zero accidents" by 2019.
Here at duck2water we have looked at some of the safety ideas and injury reducing initiatives for the future of motoring, and how long we will have to wait before they hit the streets. See what you think.
Shrinking Cars
Traffic danger is the reason cited by 40 per cent of parents who don't let their children walk to school anymore. Huge 4x4 cars have made our streets feel "scary" and have marginal benefits for occupant safety, especially when compared to injuries caused to pedestrians in a crash. Micro-family cars that are light, efficient and advanced in passenger safety are surely the solution. On the road? Cars are getting smaller, but it's probably dependant on future motoring costs.
Changing Crash Tests
In the past ten years the front ends of cars have altered distinctly, but the crash tests have remained unchanged. New tests need to be devised to reflect changing car bodies, so says Phil Glyn-Davies, the crashworthiness engineering manager at Britain's Millbrook Proving Ground. On the road? At this time, who knows?
Airbags, airbags and more airbags
External airbags built into the side structural pillars of cars could save pedestrian lives. However, car makers need to overcome issues of thick pillars reducing visibility (particularly of motorbikes) and the detriment to cosmetic appearance. On the road?Possibly between 2010 and 2020.
Bumper Bashing
Euro NCAP (National Car Assessment Programme) are working to find design solutions to reduce pedestrian injuries from head on collision. By combining the chamfering of vehicle front-ends by 45 degrees with lower bumpers, leg injuries can be reduced. However, this can constrain design styling and may make all cars look similar. Car manufacturers want to compromise and EU regulations have been watered down to meet manufacturer's style requirements. On the road? The next generation of European front-end design standards is hoped to be met by 2010, with an aim of cutting pedestrian injuries by 20%.
The Comfy Bonnet
Building engine block cushions into a bonnet to soften impact can ruin aerodynamic and aesthetically pleasing lines, but an active safety system that rapidly 'pops' the hood in the event of a crash has already been introduced by some manufacturers. On the road? Already on Jaguar XK, Citroen C6 and Honda Legend models.
Automatic 999!
A system that calls emergency services in the event of a crash could reduce fatalities by 10%. The system, known as eCall is activated on impact and relays GPS information, as well as vehicle state details (such as if the vehicle is on its roof). Developers hope it could cut response time by around ten minutes. On the road? The European Commission hopes eCall will be integrated by 2011.
Online car insurance quotes from duck2water
Developments in car safety are hopefully being matched by quicker, safer, more sophisticated ways of buying your motor insurance cover.
Call our helpline on 0333 123 1308 and our friendly advisors will be happy to search through quotes for you. Or you can click on the link below and fill in an online form, detailing all your online car insurance requirements, and we will take it from there. It is fast, safe and no-hassle. Call us and see if we can save you money on your car insurance quote now.
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