Death-defying designs for car safety
Further Reading
August 2007, pages 24-26
The future of cars (by Stephen Luntz)
Looks at the future of telematic devices in cars.
March 2006, pages 41-42
And still they are dying
Looks at the government’s attempts to curb the road toll.
October 2006, pages 32-33
Lights, camera, action (by Nick Osborne)
Investigates the use of high-speed video for impact testing.
A collection of articles on cars and motoring is available.
18 April 2009, pages 18-19
Protecting pedestrians from killer cars (by Nic Fleming)
Outlines vehicle modifications that could improve safety for pedestrians.
5 May 2007, pages 50-51
The human crash test dummy (by Justin Mullins)
An interview with Rusty Haight, the human crash test dummy.
20 February 2007
Extendable fender could keep smart cars safe (by Tom Simonite)
Looks at the use of extendable bumpers by convoys of vehicles to maintain safe distances between cars.
20 January 2007, page 89
Bounce back
Looks at what happens to airbag covers when protective airbags are inflated.
9 December 2006, page 21
Avoid airbag injuries, keep kids in the back of the car
Looks at the dangers of airbags for children.
9 December 2006, page 29
Cellphone networks could help with road tolls
Looks at a method to charge motorists to use roads using mobile phone networks.
28 October 2006, pages 30-31
Driven to distraction by your own vehicle (by Paul Marks)
Suggests that the increasing number of on-board warnings and navigation aids for drivers risks doing more harm than good.
10 May 2006
Shape-shifting car will brace for impact(by Tom Simonite)
Describes the development of a car that can anticipate a side-on impact and alter its shape to absorb the force of an impact.
26 March 2006, page 30
How to tell a fender bender from a pile-up (by Paul Marks)
Looks at the need for automatic crash notification systems to be able to sense the difference between minor and major accidents.
27 August 2005
Stopping the slaughter of innocent pedestrians (by Mick Hamer)
Looks at European Union legislation and modifications to cars to prevent the death of pedestrians in accidents.
30 July 2005, pages 44-45
Zero tolerance for road slaughter (by Pelle Neroth)
An interview with the director of Sweden's director of traffic safety about steps taken to decrease the road toll in Sweden.
May 2003, pages 3-12
Road safety: Staying out of harm's way
This special issue covers aspects of passenger safety.
- Technology puts road safety first
The problem of road safety is now a social priority for the European Union.
- Actively engaged in passive safety
Describes multidisciplinary research into 'passive' vehicle safety which could help protect road users in the event of an accident.
- Dummies in the driver's seat
European researchers are using crash test dummies and software to improve knowledge of the impact and traumas from accidents.
- Digital anatomy
Digital models are permitting detailed observations on how various parts of the body react to impacts.
- Automobile intelligence
Describes how Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) are revolutionising road safety concepts.
- eSafety in action
The latest innovations in eSafety aim to intervene as much as possible before the accident.
8 December, pages 58-65
Driving toward crashless cars (by Stephen Ashley)
Describes technology to improve the safety of cars.
April 2007, pages 78-79
Steer clear (by Mark Fischetti)
Looks at how to prevent vehicles from sliding, veering off the road or even rolling over.
Page updated July 2009.