Anonymous asked in Cars & TransportationSafety · 2 months ago

If a car crashes into an impact attenuator on the freeway at 80mph with no seatbelt, will the driver die?

What happens in this scenario? Will the driver survive the impact at that speed with no seatbelt?

3 Answers

  • 2 months ago

    So much depends upon the exact vehicle, the precise point of impact, the weight and fitness level of the driver and whether there are loose objects within the car that it’s impossible to be certain of the outcome.

    But at that speed, even if wearing a correctly-adjusted seatbelt, survival would not be certain even for a young and fit low-mass driver.

    The attenuator simply reduces the chances of death or serious injury. It does not remove it altogether. 

    Also, US-spec airbags are much larger and inflate with greater violence than those fitted to cars outside the USA, so can cause death or injury far more often than the smaller airbags used outside the USA. That’s because US manufacturers have to allow for those States which either have no mandatory seatbelt usage or which do not strongly enforce such laws. Outside of the USA seatbelt usage is compulsory in most other countries and the laws generally are enforced. That allows for the use of airbags which are highly unlikely to cause death or serious injury.

  • Anonymous
    2 months ago

    Very good chance yes.

  • 2 months ago

    Possibly, could easily die, but also could possibly survive, it's not guaranteed either way.

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