Vehicle safety - how far we have come

[ACtrafficengr]

The engineer part of me thinks it's really impressive how much safer cars have become over the years.

The rest of me thinks it's a shame to do that to a '59 Bel Air!

http://www.examiner.com/x-1017-DC-C...illustrates-modern-safety-advances-with-video

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust

 

[NomLaser]

I wonder if they are basing their analysis (stating that the Bel Air driver would have died instantly) on the fact that the 1959 Bel Air didn't have an air bag? Structurally, the Bel Air looks like it sustained less damage and that the steel frame withstood more of the impact, especially in the overhead views.