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What puzzles me here is that the SUV flips over after being hit in the right-rear corner by a relatively small car and bumping into the side barrier. Flipping over in a case like this looks more likely to happen to an SUV than a lower-centered car, and makes me question the safety of SUVs.
I remember I could easily outperform a couple of BMW SUVs on a highway in a descent from a mountain pass. They had passed me on the way up, more HPs and gravity helps handling. Then I kept turning at 130 km/h on the way down, where gravity is detrimental to handling. They were suddenly much slower, especially one of them (a prudent driver, I guess).
It's nice to know that Tesla can do that, but sorry, I just don't see anything "magical" in this video -- speed wasn't that high (~110 km/h), the gap was quite wide and the two cars on the right lane also managed to pull over and stop in time too. I have personally avoided much closer encounters driving both car and a motorcycle. In such situations, you should pray that there's no truck behind you.
"speed wasn't that high (~110 km/h)" -- That is as fast as you can go on major roadways here in Brazil> I would say it is pretty fast... " In such situations, you should pray that there's no truck behind you." -- So true. Wouldn't the autopilot account for that before braking that fast? It would cause a much bigger problem if not...
in my country the police does not even bother with you till 160 kmh. (130 is legal limit)
What puzzles me here is that the SUV flips over after being hit in the right-rear corner by a relatively small car and bumping into the side barrier. Flipping over in a case like this looks more likely to happen to an SUV than a lower-centered car, and makes me question the safety of SUVs.
Is the assumption here (flipping over = very bad) correct? Is it possible that [edit: the force] can dissipate more easily if it flips (provided the car is built correctly to withstand the force of a flip)? NB: I know nothing about this topic, genuinely curious to hear from someone who does.
They may have more structural material, but they're also heavier, meaning they have to absorb more energy.
What puzzles me here is that the SUV flips over after being hit in the right-rear corner by a relatively small car and bumping into the side barrier. Flipping over in a case like this looks more likely to happen to an SUV than a lower-centered car, and makes me question the safety of SUVs.
Is the assumption here (flipping over = very bad) correct? Is it possible that [edit: the force] can dissipate more easily if it flips (provided the car is built correctly to withstand the force of a flip)? NB: I know nothing about this topic, genuinely curious to hear from someone who does.
1) heading straight while braking: probably the best case as you have the collapsible trunk between you and the obstacle, and you can reduce the speed, if by little;
2) spinning without control and crashing with the back or the sides: worse than 1), but not so bad as there are side airbags and the headrest. The car is at least somewhat protected on all sides, plus there's some tire friction for reducing the speed;
3) rolling over: less friction as the car is rolling, plus the car may crash into the obstacle with the car's roof or floor. Both are certainly more than a layer of tin, but not as protected. Plus, objects flying around the car and limbs in an unsafe position when the crash happens.
What puzzles me here is that the SUV flips over after being hit in the right-rear corner by a relatively small car and bumping into the side barrier. Flipping over in a case like this looks more likely to happen to an SUV than a lower-centered car, and makes me question the safety of SUVs.
SUVs are not as stable as cars with a lower height. Think about the typical race car which is designed for turning fast, something that requires stability: light, low and wide. SUVs? Heavy, high and narrow relative to their height. Electronics can do marvels, but with the same electronics physics wins. I remember I could easily outperform a couple of BMW SUVs on a highway in a descent from a mountain pass. They had p…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I wish more people followed at a safe distance.
I've actually found a really good solution to tailgaters: put very slight pressure on your brake pedal, enough to get the brake lights on, but not enough to actually cause any substantial deceleration. This will cause the tailgater to also slow down, but more than you because they have no way of telling how hard you are braking. The result is increased distance between you and them. Do that a few times and even the m…
What puzzles me here is that the SUV flips over after being hit in the right-rear corner by a relatively small car and bumping into the side barrier. Flipping over in a case like this looks more likely to happen to an SUV than a lower-centered car, and makes me question the safety of SUVs.
SUVs are not as stable as cars with a lower height. Think about the typical race car which is designed for turning fast, something that requires stability: light, low and wide. SUVs? Heavy, high and narrow relative to their height. Electronics can do marvels, but with the same electronics physics wins. I remember I could easily outperform a couple of BMW SUVs on a highway in a descent from a mountain pass. They had p…
Did I mention I was surrounded by motorcycles?