4WD safety concerns confirmed

I can't tell from those stats whether 4WDs are more likely to roll over and thus cause more serious injuries or wether 4WDs are worse at protecting their occupents when the vehicle overturns.

No proof is given in terms of number of rollovers per thousand crashes for 4WDs versus other cars.

Injury rates in rollovers are not related to how often the vehicles rolls but are related to how the occupent fares when the vehicle does roll.

Peter

Intersting isn't it. Single vehicle accidents, vehicle rolling over, geez I wonder if a large majority of these rollovers occur off road. Take the off road figures out of the equation, then make a comparison. I didn't see any where in the report that these accidents occured on the black stuff.

Twas having my back to the telly on Sunday, and 60 minutes was on.
Some bird was going off about mulesing of sheep, making a solemn dance..........
........... now.......... hold on........... I'm just telling you what it was, not my slant on the practice.
Anyway, turns out she had a writ served on her, because she may ruin an industry, like she allegedly did in India.

One has to wonder, if one can do the same with these people who twist all the data to make us look like evil people.

In the age of PC, we are being unjustly ostracized.

PS G'day Bruce.

Cheers

Wolfie

Of course, the full story isn't here.

The LandCruiser that is the most dangerous is the 60 series, not today's 100 series.
The 4Runner is the 1982-1985 model.
The Rodeo is the 1989-1995 model.

So they are comparing older 4WD's to newer technology cars

Here's the list, compare the years between best and worst ...

The worst 11 for crashworthiness:

Toyota Landcruiser (1982-89)
Toyota 4Runner/Hilux (1982-85)
Holden Rodeo (1989-95)
Ford Festiva WA (1991-93) / Mazda 121 (1987-90)
Subaru Brumby (1982-93)
Toyota Landcruiser (1990-97)
Ford Festiva WD/WD/WH/WF (1994-00)
Toyota Hilux (1989-97)
Toyota Tarago (1983-89)
Holden Drover (1985-87) / Suzuki Sierra (1982-2000)
Holden Astra (1984-86) / Nissan Pulsar / Vector (1984-86)

The best 11 for crashworthiness:

Mitsubishi Lancer CE/Mirage (96-2000)
Ford Falcon AU (1998-2000)
Holden Commodore VT/VX (1997-2000)
Ford Laser (1991-94)
Holden Commodore VR/VS (1993-97) / Toyota Lexcen (1993-97)
Ford Falcon EF/EL (1994-98)
Ford Falcon EB Series II / Falcon ED (Apr 1992-94)
Mitsubishi Verada KR/KS (1991-96) / Magna TR/TS (1991-96)
Ford Falcon EA / Falcon EB Series I (1988-Mar 92)
Holden Commodore VN/VP (1989-93) / Toyota Lexcen (1989-93)
Ford Falcon XE/XF (1982-88)

like the articles and data you have probably seen my comment b4

Best of all this is coming from the NRMA which mails me the cruddy magazine yesterday awarding the Territory the "best recreational 4wd" but lists it as an AWD (I have nothing againts Territorys) and then created a new mixed up category titled "Best All terrain 4wd" anyway,

To be honest I never really understand the argument. A 4wd is just a car that can drive with all four wheels, using a combination or variety of means - extra diffs, push buttons, transfer cases, auto, abs systems etc. How that impacts upon other drivers I am not really sure. Also provides safer driving in steep descents, and in the case of AWD provides increased safety on black top.

I think somewhere the argument has adopted the term 4wd to mean - big car (although cars like xtrails, crvs are often portrayed as examples). Do people use big cars to drive kids to school rather then take them offroad - yep. Impact upon society undecided.

Impact upon people who use vehicles with 4wd systems in offroad scenario is that makers will lean towards more carlike vehicles.

Offroad is a poor term as well - but easier then saying
"people who enjoy seeing Australia, promoting tourism, supporting small rural communities, enjoying time with family and normally drive on open, formed trails, generally gazetted - unless competing in competitions where they use private or controlled land to undertake legal competitive sport"

I must say I am a fan of the US trend of 2wd option for big cars. But I think that may really confuse the whole argument - "peoples font for the liberation of roads from cars that look like 4wds but are really just big cars"

All for licensing for people who drive big cars/buses seating up to 12/ sedans towing 3 tonne caravans (although I think we already have this in place).

But at the end of the day - the debate is 30 years late. modern wagons with 4wd systems have more sedan qualities, often use less fuel then many popular sedans, and promote the diesel option - which many see as providing a greater opportunity towards environmental sustainment.

Might finish up here by adding that since trading my xtrail and driving my MX5 I can understand why people do get nervous around big cars. Even Barinas are big and threatening to me now, so its all relative. And the biggest contradiction of all is that with the roof up I can see less behind me then I can out the back of my patrol.

Hi Truckster,
Off tiopic i know but how did the trip to Wagga end up?
Did they increase boost and performance and if so was it expensive?

Cheers mate

4wd Safety Critics,

There has been an enormous increase in 4wd sales in the last 20 years. What that means is that, at the same time, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of first-timer 4wd drivers......people who have had no previous experience in operating a vehicle with a higher centre of gravity and different operating characteristics than the 2wd they got their licence in. What all the statistics fail to regognise is that perhaps driver related contributory factors are the real problem..... and it therfore may not be the 4wd vehicles themselves.

We don't have a good enough driver education system in our schools for seventeen-year olds to take to the streets in any vehicle, let alone an educational process to convert 2wd drivers into proficient 4wd operators.

The Government Authorities responsible for eduction need to take a long hard look at these issues, rather than simply coming out with statements that 4wd vehicles are the most dangerous vehicles on our roads.

Think about it................Regards.........Rob Caldwell (Traffic Engineer)

Hi Truckster,

Off the subject also but ,,,,,, How much boost are you running now and how much before the trip to Wagga?...
And have you got HP/KW figures and torque before and after??... And did you have the turbo fitted and if so what were the figures back then from standard to turbo?..

Regards,,,.

All very interesting stats, BUT back in 1989 when my wife fell asleep travelling at 100k/h (off duty policewoman behind her) she managed to dead centre a wooden power pole breaking it off at the base then hit a large pine tree the stopped the most dangerous of vehicles, a 60 series cruiser. All the doors still opened and closed and she walked away with minor injuries not requiring hospital treatment, and it was a toss up as to if the vehicle was a write off or not.

How many of the so called safe cars can do that?