Rollover/Roof Crush
Not the Top of the Safety Priorities
Danny Hakim
New York Times
DETROIT, May 13 – Volvo has promoted the sturdiness of its cars’ roofs since it ran advertisements in the 1970’s showing seven Volvo sedans stacked up, asking, "Are you in the market for a hardtop?"
And Volvo, in introducing its first sport utility vehicle in 2002, the XC90, had a promotional video claiming the strength of the roof "exceeds the legal requirements in the U.S.A. by more than 100 percent."
Ford pushes to seal memos on vehicle roof strength
Evidence in Florida Volvo trial reveals correlation between design and injury.
By Jeff Plungis / Detroit News Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co. is fighting a two-front battle — one in a Florida court, the other with federal safety regulators — to seal documents that suggest roof strength is key to protecting people in rollover crashes.
Ford, Volvo Clash on Roof Design
Auto regulators take internal files off the Web that depict a conflict over the safety feature.By Myron Levin
Times Staff Writer
May 4, 2005
Federal auto safety regulators have taken the unusual step of removing documents on vehicle roof design from a government website at the request of Ford Motor Co. The material includes internal reports from Ford and its Volvo subsidiary that suggest the Swedish automaker views sturdy roofs as an important safety feature, a stance at odds with that of its parent company.
Feds Link Injuries to Weak Roofs
Danger Overhead: Crushed Roofs
Auto industry will challenge new drive to toughen regulations
Divergent Data Muddle Debate
WASHINGTON As it prepares to seek tougher roof-strength standards, the federal government is searching for answers in a sea of divergent research.
Most of the research into the impact of crushing roofs has been generated in the course of high-stakes personal injury lawsuits.
Computer Simulation: Types of Rollovers
Tripped rollovers
NHTSA data show that 95% of single-vehicle rollovers are tripped. This happens when a vehicle leaves the roadway and slides sideways, digging its tires into soft soil or striking an object such as a curb or guardrail. The high tripping force applied to the tires in these situations can cause the vehicle to roll over.
One of the best ways to avoid a rollover, therefore, is to stay on the road. Electronic Stability Control is a promising new technology that will help drivers stay on the road in emergency situations.
Ex-GM Executive Turns Courtroom Crusader
Expert witness, lawyer use automaker’s data to win $26M test case
Safety Test Ignores Real-Life Conditions
Automakers argue decades-old test is fair and easy to repeat
WASHINGTON – In an age of computer-aided design, high-tech crash tests and multimillion-dollar dummies, the test the federal government uses to assess roof strength is a relic of an earlier era.
Thousands Killed, Hurt as Auto Roofs Collapse
Brandy Baker / The Detroit News;Dan McCord
Penny Shipler was riding in this Chevrolet S-10 Blazer.
European Vehicles Exceed Standard for U.S. Car Roofs
Detroit automakers insist the existing rule is adequate
At a demonstration in Gothenburg, Sweden, Volvo rolled an XC-90 SUV in 2002. With a roof made from high-strength Boron steel, the XC-90 rolled more than three times. There was minor cosmetic damage to the roof, but no significant intrusion into the occupants’ safety cage.
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