Thread: Defender Safety

Originally Posted by yyeessno

Some amazing photos

Every time I look at those picture I am amazed you walked away. amazing!

Airbags killing people was an early problem. The pre-set level that the airbags fires was too low, so minor bingles in shopping centre carparks set the airbags off. Adding to this, the force used to inflate the air airbags was way too much, so the airbag inflating could cause enough damage to kill someone. Note: the cases I read about were in the US, so seatbelts may not have been worn and their airbags are designed differently to ours because of this. Also, those killed were generally children or smaller adults, so the location of the head may have been lower than a 'normal' adult.

Both these problems were rectified many years ago (trigger load and firing force) and since then, there would be very few cases where an airbag has contributed to a death.

Just thinking back, my county would be safer than my old 240Z by a long shot, and likely safer than the MX5. Especially in a t-bone situation.

If you have any doubts about your ability to avoid crashing then I suggest you go and do an Advanced Driver Training Course.
The poll is stupid as the questions are asked incorrectly therefore I wont reply to it.
I have screamed in this forum many times about the value of an Advanced Driver Training Course and if you had done one you would have no doubts about crashing your vehicle and you wouldnt have raised the stupid poll.

Hi just a story related second hand to me, guy in NZ was involved a a at least 160kmp head on collision with a subaru impreza which crossed the white line on a main highway into the path of the 110, he was doing 80 to 90kmh and the subara was being driven fast according to witnesses, the Subaru was crushed back FLAT to the actual passenger seat, the 110 driver got a very sore chest from the seat belt and his wife in the passenger seat got a broken ankle.
He went and brought a new 110 ASAP
Understand the 110 had a crimp in the chassis which went through to the bulkhead and slightly distorted the cabin.
I know its one of those one off stories and probably not applicable to all situations but it was brilliant (110) in this case

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

If you have any doubts about your ability to avoid crashing then I suggest you go and do an Advanced Driver Training Course.
The poll is stupid as the questions are asked incorrectly therefore I wont reply to it.
I have screamed in this forum many times about the value of an Advanced Driver Training Course and if you had done one you would have no doubts about crashing your vehicle and you wouldnt have raised the stupid poll.

Excuse me, but I don't understand how the OP has any relationship to avoiding a crash.

Surely you can understand how the driver of a vehicle can be involved in an accident through no fault of their own.

Also, it appears 58 other respondents didn't think the poll was too stupid to answer. I thought it was pretty straight forward - in an accident would you consider a Defender safe enough to carry your children.

You also make assumptions about my driving skill and experience, to which I take offence

You can hop down off your high horse now.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

...The poll is stupid ...

.... and you wouldnt have raised the stupid poll.

Perhaps you could edit the word 'stupid' out of your reply. The poll questions may not be the best, but intention of the questions are very vaild.

From what I have seen of Defender accidents, rollovers seem to be the worst situation to get into. A Milford Cargo Barrier is an excellent and relatively cheap way of getting a bit of roof support (around $500 I think).

Cheers
David

i thought the question was worded fine myself, and it brings up some great conversation and information about safety and peoples experiences

Originally Posted by yyeessno

The car turned on its side and the barrier cut through the A-pillar and opened the roof like a sardine can. We slid down the barrier for about 10m and then the car just righted itself and we stopped........................................... .....After surviving this, I've no problem carrying loved ones in the car. I now have a 130 dual cab.

I am very happy you and your sister survived this crash relatively unscathed but I can't help but feel you were spared through dumb luck. No car, whatever the brand or model, is designed to survive a road barrier slicing through the roof. Your miraculous survival is not an advert for Defenders or any other car/4WD for that matter.

No offence intended