THE INFLUENCE OF VEHICLE ADD-ONS, ALTERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND USE ON VEHICLE SAFETY

THE FAD OF DO-IT-YOURSELF AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMIZING OFFSETS, IN MANY CASES, THE MANUFACTURERS' SAFETY DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS. TACHOMETERS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS DEVICES ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ABORT THE COMPRESSIBILITY OF THE ENERGY ABSORBING DEVICE INCREASING CHEST INJURIES. THESE ADD-ONS ARE ALSO INJURY SITES FOR THE UPPER AND LOWER LIMBS. ANOTHER MODIFICATION IS TO ALTER THE SUSPENSION GEOMETRY TO ACHIEVE A DRAGSTER APPEARANCE. THE RAISING OF THE REAR END EXPOSES THE FUEL TANK, WHICH IS NORMALLY PROTECTED BY THE REAR STRUCTURE FROM DIRECT CONTACT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A REAR END COLLISION SITUATION. AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS CHANGE INCREASES THE INJURY RISK TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE STRIKING CAR WILL ALSO BE SHOWN. OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE UPPER AND LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL ALTERATIONS AND ADD-ONS, VISIBILITY, REMOVAL OF HEAD RESTS, AND MAINTENANCE. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE ROLE PLAYED BY THESE OWNER MODIFICATIONS IS NOT KNOWN, BUT CASE STUDIES CONFIRM THAT THEY ARE A FACTOR IN THE ANNUALLY REPORTED TRAFFIC DEATHS AND INJURIES. /SRIS/

• Corporate Authors:

  General Motors Corporation

  Warren, MI  United States  48090
• Authors:
  • Nelson, W D
• Publication Date: 1971-11

Media Info

• Features: Photos; References;
• Pagination: 46 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Fuel tanks; Injuries; Stability (Mechanics); Steering wheels; Suspension systems; Traffic crashes; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Change
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile customizing; Suspension (Stability); Vehicular safety
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00223926
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Highway Safety Research Institute
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 19 1973 12:00AM