IIHS Crash Test Results for Prius Released

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusblue @ Apr 17 2006, 06:31 AM) [snapback]240813[/snapback]</div>

We got rid of our 99 Subaru for this reason. One day with the kids in back I made a couple of left-right turns to snake down the road. My daughter bumped her head on the rear pillar. I decided that day we needed a car with side airbags.

I showed my family the video of the Prius test last night, they're glad we got the side airbags.

 

I was wondering whether the dealer can add side air bags to my 2006 package #2 Prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DeadPhish @ Apr 18 2006, 06:00 AM) [snapback]241401[/snapback]</div>

Just keep in mind that the insurance industry *hates* serious non-fatal injury; light injury or death is OK, in terms of expenses.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EricGo @ Apr 19 2006, 02:22 AM) [snapback]241974[/snapback]</div>

This is strangely true. In a legal sense, it is much cheaper to kill someone than it is to injure them. So if you cause an accident, make sure the other person dies if you want to minimize costs.

 

In order to improve safety of a rear end crash tests I am considering fitting a headrest that is capable of tilting forward as well as up and down - that is if I can find one that fits.
Has anyone any comment as to the safety of this type of headrest?
As a temporary measure I have installed a neck pillow to the headrest to bring the impact point forward to about 1" behind my head. The pillow, which is fairly solid, is held on by 3 elastic straps. In the case of a frontal impact that pillow will move forward and eventually hit me in the back of the head. Not a happy thought.
I installed this pillow to see if it would reduce whiplash if rear ended. I believe it would.
I have fitted sheep skin covers to my seats so I will get an upholsterer to make something that fits inside the headrest cover if the tilting headrest is not available.
All I have to do now is find a car with a tilting headrest that fits.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Orf @ Apr 26 2006, 08:27 PM) [snapback]245924[/snapback]</div>

I wouldn't assume the solution is that easy - perhaps it is, or perhaps you are only making it worse (perhaps much worse) by messing with the headrest. Also, I understood that part of the problem was that the seats were too "cushy" and the crash dummy sank into them too much, thus the headrest didn't do much good. As for the sheepskin seat covers, just make sure they don't cover the abdominal airbag in the side of the seat.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TimBikes @ Apr 27 2006, 01:14 AM) [snapback]245986[/snapback]</div>

First the seat airbags. Originally I purchased stock seat covers that fitted my previous car - which also had airbags in the seat. I took them to an upholsterer who cut the sides of the back out so that they look more like a waistcoat - no arms or should I say no sides. This freed up the area where the airbags are leaving the airbags free to deploy.
I believe the whiplash problem experienced by the crash dummy was caused by its head being too far from the headrest. This excessive distance would cause the neck to flex an undue amount before it hit the headrest, thus causing whiplash.
What I have now done is to take my neck pillow out of its cover and cut the ends off so it is the same width as the headrest (it is made of foam plastic). This allows me to stuff it in the sheepskin headrest cover and decrease the distance from the headrest to my head. If I get hit from behind, my head will have far less distance to travel before it hits the headrest.
Thank you for taking the time to question the wisdom of changing the headrest. I might try and contact the people who do these tests and seek their advice.