Personal "Crash Test"

[Dunerunner]

My daughter was involved in a similar accident in a Lexus RX-330. She spun several times, didn't roll but the forces involved can create any number of crash senarios. I don't care if the crumple zones absorb more energy, I do like the idea that even in this small eco platform, a crash like this is survivable!! KUDOs to the smart!!!

[helidrvr]

Another very significant safety feature of the smart is its go-cart like cornering and swerving ability. A few days ago, that little characteristic got me out of a potentially nasty crash which I would not have escaped if I had been driving my Galant.

[Chassol]

Originally Posted by helidrvr

Another very significant safety feature of the smart is its go-cart like cornering and swerving ability. A few days ago, that little characteristic got me out of a potentially nasty crash which I would not have escaped if I had been driving my Galant.

How violent of a swerve did you do? The reason I ask is that smart has a roll over rating of 3 and I'm curious, as I'm sure some other folks may be as to how you felt in the maneuvering you had to go through.

I too am thankful that evilbean42 came through so well in his smart.

Thanks,

Chassol

[chieftmc]

Like the rest, I'm glad you are OK! It's nice to know that "our" little car performs as intended. Hope you are able to get a replacement in short order.

[helidrvr]

Originally Posted by Chassol

How violent of a swerve did you do? The reason I ask is that smart has a roll over rating of 3 and I'm curious, as I'm sure some other folks may be as to how you felt in the maneuvering you had to go through.

Not violent enough to roll ...

That being said, I used a rapid swerve technique which I was taught years ago when I took an "emergency vehicle operators course". It's a rapid 1-2-3 manuevre which begins with an agressive turn of the wheel 45-90 degrees in the direction you want to go (1) and is immediately followed by an equal wheel turn in the opposite direction (2), then finished by bringing the wheel back to neutral just as quickly (3). No hesitation between the three steps allowed. This creates a minimum of roll momentum while getting you out of harms way quickly.

As I'm sitting here thinking about it, it may also be possible that the cabrio has a slightly lower C of G than the coupe, because of the cloth roof. I have no idea if this difference is significant, but it might have contributed to stability.

Bottom line: I never felt any significant tilt, let alone incipient roll movement.

[skyzdlimit59]

Bean, we are all happy that you are ok! Yours is only the first of these kind of stories. Sorry for your totaled smart, but it did its job, and that is a comfort for all of us.
I agree with the others. Take advantage of your history-making situation. Good luck.

[Flashman]

Originally Posted by helidrvr

Not violent enough to roll ...

That being said, I used a rapid swerve technique which I was taught years ago when I took an "emergency vehicle operators course". It's a rapid 1-2-3 manuevre which begins with an agressive turn of the wheel 45-90 degrees in the direction you want to go (1) and is immediately followed by an equal wheel turn in the opposite direction (2), then finished by bringing the wheel back to neutral just as quickly (3). No hesitation between the three steps allowed. This creates a minimum of roll momentum while getting you out of harms way quickly.

Sounds like the famous ELK/Moose test.
Moose test - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[limey]

The rollover tests only relate to side-impacts, they don't correspond to emergency manouvers.

If you overdo it in an emergency, the systems will kick in and cut power and apply individual wheel brakes to make sure the car just understeers and never rolls, unless you hit something that tips you over.

[SMART]

Originally Posted by evilbean42

My car is totaled, but I'm not...here's how it happened...

Driving on I95 in CT a car on the exit ramp decided to cut back into traffic. He hit the car next to me, who then slammed into me (at 70 mph). My car hit the guard rail and bounced off like a ping pong ball, rolling several times before hitting the opposite guardrail (which then flipped me right side up). Thank god I was wearing my seatbelt, and driving this amazing car. I opened the door and stepped out. Very shaken, but not hurt. I'm a little stiff now, the next day, but other than that I'm perfectly fine. Time to get on the orphan list for another smart. MY SMART SAVED MY LIFE!!!

I'm sorry for my previous comments and hope the driver of the vehicle is recovering well and has the best luck finding another great smart.

[Dave777]

Agreed. Need some pics.

If the fire department or police took photos, Evilbean, it would seem they'd be public domain and you could ask to have them emailed to you.

I'm sure you have better things to do, but we're all eager to see the damage, or lack thereof.