Brits are fatter, now their crash test dummies should be too
We Americans seem to be getting fatter every year, and it appears we're not alone. Over in the UK, sedentary jobs, less walking, and bigger meal-sizes have given the Brits a more portly perspective, and as a matter of safety, their crash test dummies may follow suit. In the 1950's, the average UK male tipped the scales at about 170 lbs., and the average has only nudged up by a few pounds, but since 22-percent of British men are overweight, testing could soon be done with dummies weighing up to 224 lbs.
The Euro NCAP thinks valuable information can be obtained from the chunkier dummies, as the studies could show how larger mass results on more stress on the seat belt, and a greater chance of coming into contact with the car's interior parts. Researchers are also looking to use for the first time a smaller mannequin that represents a woman that is in the fifth-percentile of all adult females. It makes sense that the UK uses larger, heavier dummies like we do here in the States, but at £100,000 per crash tester, we think the technology-packed dummies should come with some donuts and a latte.
[Source: Daily Mail via Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bathtub gin 9:54AM (8/25/2007)
This doesn't really square up with all the jokes about English cooking.
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Ligor 10:18AM (8/25/2007)
I wonder if we here in the US are using 270lb dummies?
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Philip 11:25AM (8/25/2007)
Jokes about British cooking are just that, Jokes, you cant believe everything you see on TV.
British food is excellent, Ive been there many times, I can say its every bit as good as American food if not better in many cases, although that isnt saying alot, It does taste good, they use less preservatives and dont pump their meat full of hormones, many Brits are opposed to genetically modified food.
This new study indicates the are eating more like us, I have noticed larger portions.
Brits do lots of walking.
They are living longer than us, that should tell us something.
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mayday83 2:06PM (8/25/2007)
What's American food?
bathtub gin 2:30PM (8/25/2007)
Steady, dude. That was a joke, too. I certainly didn't mean to disrespect the Auld Sod. I really couldn't care less what they eat. In fact, I was saying that this article contradicts all the jokes about English cooking.
BTW - mix in a period here and there, hm? Makes your lame, unnecessary insults more readable.
Jackson 2:33PM (8/25/2007)
Yeah, 0.7 years longer than us!
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/uk.html
Seminole 11:44AM (8/25/2007)
Maybe Jeremy Clarkson will stop his fat American jokes.
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Solo Racer 9:08PM (8/25/2007)
I enjoy ol' JC's wit and writing, but he's got no place making jokes about anyone being fat. He's got all the athleticism of a baseball pitcher, like say Sid Fernandez or Goose Gossage.
And larger meals of what? Kidney pie? Hagas?
94 taurus owner 4:47PM (8/25/2007)
just don't eat there
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Barney 2:31PM (8/25/2007)
A "fat dummy'. Somehow that strikes me as funny.
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notnowjohn 4:00PM (8/25/2007)
I wonder if the it will be embarassed to change in front of the other dummies in the locker room. What would the other dummies say?
"Hey, dummy! Try a salad!"
naggs 10:08PM (8/25/2007)
more proof that Britain is just America junior
learn from the pros bitches, double bacon cheeseburgers ftw.
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