In the World of Cars, Is Bigger Always Safer?
In the World of Cars, Is Bigger Always Safer?
When it comes to cars, is it true that bigger is always better...and safer? Based on an April 2009 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the answer to this longstanding question is a resounding yes. The study shows that larger, heavy-duty vehicles are fundamentally safer than smaller, lightweight cars.
Considering recent announcements, this revelation is more important than ever. This May, President Obama unveiled his massive fuel efficiency plan. Under the new standards, auto makers will be ordered to increase the fuel economy of vehicles sold in the U.S. to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016. This means manufacturers will have to produce smaller, more lightweight, fuel-efficient vehicles.
While supporters of the plan say it will help cut our nation's greenhouse-gas emissions, opponents argue that the mandate will result in thousands more Americans dying or becoming seriously injured in auto accidents. Critics say that the number of auto fatalities could swell if hordes of "unsafe" subcompacts hit the road in coming years.
The physics behind car crashes
Why are bigger cars intrinsically safer? It all comes down to physics. According to the IIHS report, "These tests are about the physics of car crashes, which dictate that very small cars generally can't protect people in crashes as well as bigger, heavier models."
Based on the law of physics, when a large object crashes into a smaller object, the larger object creates a greater impact. This rule holds true for car crashes, as confirmed by the IIHS study.
For this study, the IIHS conducted three front-to-front crash tests, each involving a microcar or minicar colliding with a midsize model from the same manufacturer. The Institute did not use SUVs, pickup trucks or even large cars to pair with the micros and minis in the tests. "The choice of midsize cars reveals how much influence some extra size and weight can have on crash outcomes," the report explains.
Instead, the Institute chose pairs of 2009 models from Daimler, Honda and Toyota because these auto makers have micro and mini models that have earned good frontal crash ratings in barrier tests.
According to the final IIIHS report, "In a collision involving two vehicles that differ in size and weight, the people in the smaller, lighter vehicle will be at a disadvantage. The bigger, heavier vehicle will push the smaller, lighter one backward during the impact. This means there will be less force on the occupants of the heavier vehicle and more on the people in the lighter vehicle. Greater force means greater risk, so the likelihood of injury goes up in the smaller, lighter vehicle."
Real-world car crash statistics confirm this theory. In 2007, the death rate in 1 to 3-year-old minicars involved in multiple-vehicle crashes was nearly twice as high as the rate in large cars.
Good engineering makes a difference
Despite the recent IIHS study, some experts point out that vehicle safety doesn't come down to car size alone. They say that quality engineering and design are more important to vehicle safety than the actual car size. Added safety features, such as front and side airbags, seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force-limiters, rollover prevention mechanisms, head restraints and crash avoidance systems can also greatly improve a vehicle's safety.
Experts also say the size of a vehicle's front end can determine how the car fares in crash. If a lighter vehicle is engineered with a large front end, creating a bigger space between the front of the vehicle and the front seat, the car would be much safer. That's because a car with a large "crush space" decreases the severity of an impact and reduces the force to the car's occupants.
Plus, auto makers can also reduce a vehicle's weight without losing too much structural integrity by using aluminum, titanium or plastic. Unfortunately, most manufacturers steer clear of these materials because they carry a high price tag.
Any questions about Car Insurance, call Khalid Umerani, Agent, NOVA Insurance Group in Chantilly / South Riding, VA at 703.263.7800
www.south-riding-insurance.comwww.loudoun-insurance.comLabels: Chantilly Car Insurance, Fairfax Auto Insurance, loudoun car insurance, South Riding auto insurance
Make That Tank of Gas Last: How to boost your MPGs
Make That Tank of Gas Last: How to Boost Your MPGsIt’s no secret that the price of gas is exorbitantly expensive right now. Although the cost per gallon is finally starting to decline, fuel is still far pricier than it was in past years. Outside of hanging up your car keys for good, how can you possibly keep from going broke? If you’re strapped for cash, follow these rules from your Agent, here at
NOVA Insurance Group, to make the most out of every last drop of gas. With these techniques, you could get up to 20 more miles per tank.
Be an easy rider:
Driving “gently” can help you conserve gas. If you accelerate quickly, brake suddenly and drive aggressively, you could decrease your fuel economy by up to 33%! This kind of forceful driving can add more than a dollar to each gallon when you fill up your tank.
Look 30 seconds into the future:
Pay close attention to the road. If you keep your eyes moving and continually scan the road ahead, you’ll know early on when you’ll need to brake. Some experts say you should constantly check the road that is 30 seconds ahead of your car. That’s about a block in the city or half a mile on the highway.
This allows you to plan ahead so you won’t have to make sudden aggressive maneuvers at the last minute. For example, if you see a light turning red up ahead, go ahead and start easing off your accelerator so you won’t have to make an abrupt stop at the intersection. If you slow down for long enough, the light may be green by the time you reach it, which means you won’t have to brake at all.
Give your engine a rest:
Turn off your car whenever possible. Experts say that idling for just one minute uses up more gas than turning off and then restarting your car. So, if you’re waiting at the fast food drive through or the bank for even a minute or two, go ahead and turn off your car.
Watch your speed:
Driving slow may not be fun, but it can certainly save you some gas. Cars generally reach their optimum fuel efficiency between 45 and 60 miles per hour. Once you accelerate to over 60 mph, your engine has to burn much more fuel to keep the pace.
Some studies have shown that every 5 mph increase you drive over 60 mph adds about 20 cents to your gas price tag—and that estimate is based on a $3.22 per gallon model, so it adds up to even more right now... and of course, always obey the speed limit. (
www.south-riding-insurance.com)
Keep cruising:
You can also conserve fuel by maintaining a steady speed. When used correctly, cruise control can boost fuel economy by up to 14% on the highway. This is because every tiny pressure change you make to your accelerator—even slight changes that aren’t registered by your speedometer—can burn up more gas.
If you maintain a precise speed with cruise control, you’ll avoid these small accelerator movements and save more gas. However, cruise control won’t work if you’re sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. In heavy traffic, your constant braking and speed changes can burn up a lot of gas. If at all possible, take a route with less traffic so you can sustain a steady speed. Of course, traffic is pretty much unavoidable in many cities.
Take the most direct route:
We all know that shortest distance between any two points is a straight line. But did you know that driving in a straight line can actually save you gas? By taking the shortest and most fuel efficient route from point A to point B, you’ll burn up much less fuel. You should also drive as straight as possible on the road—if you constantly switch lanes on the highway, you’re wasting a lot of gas. When necessary, try to make smooth, gradual lane changes.
Look out for hills:
If you know you are approaching a hill in the road, build up your speed before you reach it. Try to maintain your speed as you ascend the hill by gradually accelerating. This will help you prevent full-throttle acceleration, which burns up excessive amounts of gas.
Don’t lock out overdrive:
The typical car with a four or five speed automatic transmission has overdrive as its highest gear. Overdrive allows the car to maintain steady highway speeds above 45 mph without making the engine work so hard. You should only lock out overdrive if you’re towing something and need extra torque or in other rare circumstances. However, if you want to save fuel on the highway, leave the overdrive button alone.
Consolidate trips:
Try to consolidate car trips whenever possible. For example, if you know you need to go to the grocery store and the post office, don’t split these up into two different trips. Take care of as many errands as possible in one run.
Whenever possible, walk or ride your bike, especially if you’re traveling somewhere just a couple of miles from home. Not only will this keep you healthy and fit, but it will also help you save loads in gas money.
We hope these tips were helpful. (
www.loudoun-insurance.com)
Labels: Chantilly Car Insurance, engine, fairfax-car-insurance, Gas Tank, loudoun-auto-insurance, MPG, speed
Does Your Auto Insurance Policy Cover Your GPS?
Does Your Auto Insurance Policy Cover Your GPS?If you've recently gone somewhere on vacation and your car did not have a Global Positioning System (GPS), you probably wish it did. GPS systems have become increasingly popular as their prices have dropped. Navigationally challenged drivers who used to decipher hard-to-read maps can now rely on these small devices to help them reach their destinations. However, the popularity of GPS devices makes them particularly attractive to thieves. They are also susceptible to damage in car crashes, like any other item in a car. How will an auto insurance policy cover a stolen or damaged GPS?
Unfortunately, standard policies provide little or no coverage for a GPS. Many older policy editions explicitly state that they do not cover losses to any electronic equipment that receives or transmits data signals. A GPS would seem to fall within that description. More recent policy editions may cover electronic equipment, but only if it is permanently installed in the vehicle. These policies provide a small amount of insurance for electronic equipment; $1,000 coverage is typical.
It is often possible to buy additional coverage for GPS devices. Any car owner with equipment worth more than $1,000 should speak with her insurance agent about buying a special policy form. It increases the coverage to a specific amount shown on the form. Typically, insurance companies will not offer more than $5,000 coverage. Check with your Insurance Agent for details. (
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If the policyholder has an older edition of the policy, she will need a different form to cover a GPS. This form covers sound reproducing equipment; audio, visual and data electronic equipment; and tapes, records and disks while in a vehicle. A GPS device falls within the data electronic equipment category. Coverage applies if the unit is permanently installed in the vehicle or if it is removable from a permanently installed housing unit, designed to be powered solely by the car's electrical system, and in or upon the car at the time of the loss. The form provides coverage for devices in cars the policyholder owns and those she rents or borrows. As with the other form, she can buy coverage in amounts up to $5,000. Check with your Insurance Agent for details. (
www.south-riding-insurance.com)
The additional premium for this coverage is normally small. A approx. rate of $4 for every $100 of coverage is typical. For example, the cost for $2,500 of coverage might be around $100.
As car buyers ask carmakers to add more and more gadgets to cars, insurance coverage for those gadgets will continue to evolve. It is unwise to assume that an insurance policy automatically provides much coverage for these gadgets. All insurance buyers should carefully review their policies and ask their agents questions if GPS coverage is a concern. With a GPS and the right insurance coverage, a driver can be confident that she's going in the right direction.
Call us here, at NOVA Insurance Group, for details.
Labels: Chantilly Car Insurance, fairfax-car-insurance, loudoun auto insurance, south-riding-car-insurance
Using a Cell Phone While Driving Is Similar to Driving Under the Influence
Using a Cell Phone While Driving Is Similar to Driving Under the Influence
A 2005 study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers who use cell phones while driving were four times more likely to get involved in an accident. It also concluded that accident risk wasn’t affected by whether the driver was using a hand-held phone or a hands-free phone. Reference cell-phone restrictions, in Virginia (including Loudoun county - South Riding 20152, Stone Ridge / Aldie 20105 and Ashburn / Brambleton 20148; and Fairfax county - Chantilly 20151), there is currently no hand-held ban, except drivers younger than 18, and school bus drivers.
www.south-riding-insurance.comNew research from Carnegie Mellon University shows that just listening on a cell phone while driving is enough to distract a driver. In this study, 29 volunteers used a driving simulator while inside an MRI brain scanner. They steered a car along a virtual winding road, driving at a high, fixed rate of speed. They were tested while driving undisturbed, and while driving and trying to decide whether a sentence they heard was true or false. The researchers measured activity in 20,000 brain locations, each about the size of a peppercorn.
After a thorough analysis of the data, the researchers were able to conclude that:
When the drivers were tested while listening to the sentence to see if it was true or false, they lost 37 percent of the normal activity of their brain’s parietal lobe. This is significant because this area of the brain is the one motorists rely on the most when driving. The parietal lobe assimilates all the information the body receives from the senses, and uses it to determine how near/far perceived objects are. There was also a decrease in the activity of the occipital lobe, which assimilates visual information.
When the drivers were tested while listening, they lost their ability to control the car. They not only were unable to stay in their lane, but they frequently hit objects such as guardrails. These are the kinds of driving errors most closely associated with motorists who drive while under the influence of alcohol.
www.loudoun-insurance.comLabels: 20151 Auto Insurance, 20151 Car Insurance, 20152 Auto Insurance, 20152 Car Insurance, Chantilly Auto Insurance, Chantilly Car Insurance
