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Crashing question on cars

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  • 08-09-2007 11:17am
    #1
    gurramok
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,992 ✭✭✭✭


    Just read yet another tragic road accident on the news this morning.

    As I drive a Fabia as in the story(http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0908/cork.html?rss), the 2nd paragraph struck me as alarming as i drive the same type of car.

    Stupid question but, if a car collides at a high speed(lets say 60kmph+) with an metal/concrete object, does it normally burst into flames?

    I had always thought that in most cases it would be a tangled wreck yes, but those airbag thingys would try to save you, rather than the whole thing bursting into flames!


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    #2
    bushy...
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,467 ✭✭✭bushy...


    Well the airbags might save you but if the footwell has closed up because of the impact you won't be able to get out of the car. The brake fluid/coolant/fuel getting splashed on a very hot exhaust and the battery getting shorted out isn't a very good situation.


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    #3
    eamon234
    Registered Users Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭eamon234


    Depends on how you hit it I suppose - can also depend on how much petrol in the tank - I hit a cement truck (assh0le decided to stop on a blind bend down a tiny country road) - I was doing 30 mph in an old Renault 19 the front was pretty mangled but from the passenger footwell in was perfect I pretty much walked away - they didn't say if the crane was moving or not though.


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    #4
    maidhc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,660 ✭✭✭maidhc


    gurramok wrote:
    Stupid question but, if a car collides at a high speed(lets say 60kmph+) with an metal/concrete object, does it normally burst into flames?

    I had always thought that in most cases it would be a tangled wreck yes, but those airbag thingys would try to save you, rather than the whole thing bursting into flames!

    If you hit a metal/concrete object at high speed it is completely irrelevant if the car bursts into flames or not. You will be dead instantly.


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    #5
    Type 17
    Registered Users Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭Type 17


    maidhc wrote:
    You will be dead instantly.


    If you're lucky... next time you're* driving "a bit too fast for the conditions", consider that fact that it is possible to be trapped by the feet/have three or more broken limbs and a jammed door/door up against a barrier, and be burned to death "while you wait". :(

    The odd thought like this keeps me safe, and constantly willing to learn to be a better driver...

    *Not you, maidhc, just any driver reading this...


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