http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/ Autoblog Comments for http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
I want to see ALL new cars coming standard with ultrasonic rear parking - and ALL cars coming with a low speed collission warning system or automatic braking system that detects objects less than 2 feet away at under 15mph and stops the car before impact.

I can't tell you how many times I've been dazed at the wheel and nearly hit people in front of me because traffic was bumper to bumper. An automatic system would help protect you from idiots on cellphones or people playing with the navigation systems.

The only people who would be against my idea are naysayers who claim its too expensive or people working in auto body shops who need the extra revenue that careless drivers create.]]>Apr 10th 2008 9:51AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/Apr 10th 2008 9:58AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/Apr 10th 2008 10:18AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
As a diver, I want sole control of the steering, brakes and throttle. Having a computer step in and second-guess my commands is just as bad as a passenger grabbing the wheel. ]]>Apr 10th 2008 10:22AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/Apr 10th 2008 10:54AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
But backing into other cars while parking or rear ending other people in low speed congestion are absolutely avoidable by just paying attention.

The answer to other people too lazy or distracted to turn their heads and look where they're driving isn't me buying a camera.

]]>Apr 10th 2008 11:12AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/Apr 10th 2008 11:37AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
And you not being capable of parking your S550 doesn't mean we should all run out and get things to avoid bumping other cars while parking. I've NEVER hit another car while parallel parking, and I work in center city Philadelphia and parallel park the Trailblazer frequently. Learn to park your car, and learn to not fall asleep driving during your commute, YOUR liability is then null. You can't control other people hitting you, but you can certainly avoid you hitting other people.]]>Apr 10th 2008 11:48AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
I disagree. It's very easy to have a low-speed parking accident that you cannot see and cannot avoid. My 9-3 hatch has a high rear deck and very poor visibility of what's immediately astern. If a post (or god forbid, a child or pet) gets behind me when I'm not looking and I start reversing, I have no way of knowing they're there.

Parking radar/sonar would probably save lives. It'd save paint, too, but that's not so much my concern.]]>Apr 10th 2008 12:21PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
and being "dazed" behind the wheel, as you say? sheesh. scary. ]]>Apr 10th 2008 12:54PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
And that is 100% your prerogative. The OP is stating that ALL cars should come STANDARD with these things. Meaning, those of us that do not want it would still have to pay for it. I don't mind their existance in some vehicles, but to blanketly state that all cars should have them no matter what is like going along with Al Gore in that all vehicles should have a Tornado Warning System.]]>Apr 10th 2008 1:45PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
Oliver]]>Apr 10th 2008 9:59AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/Apr 10th 2008 6:50PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
Oh, right, the Accord has bloated its way out of the midsize class... ]]>Apr 10th 2008 10:21AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
For the legions of lazy, here's a direct link to test results for Midsize Moderately Priced cars:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/summary.aspx?class=30]]>Apr 10th 2008 10:42AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
Other Midsizes that get teh Top Safety Pick nod are the Audi A3, A4, Saab 9-3 and Subaru Legacy (with optional stability control)]]>Apr 10th 2008 10:49AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
Come automakers, get with it and make the cars safer in rear end accidents!]]>Apr 10th 2008 11:18AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
Low speed rear impacts have a fatality rate of nil and result in very minor injuries so it's not an area where alot of money is willing to be spent by the OEMs. Not when so much mass/cost already needs to be added to modern cars to meet the newest front/side/rollover requirements and consumer metrics.
]]>Apr 10th 2008 11:42AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/
Large blocky head restraints for rear impacts aren't expensive at all, but they're uncomfortable and goofy looking. That turns buyers off more than a 5 star rear crash rating turns them on.]]>Apr 10th 2008 2:51PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/10/iihs-midsize-smack-down-side-impact-ratings-better-rear-crashe/Apr 10th 2008 11:30AM