Weak federal standard allows deadly car-into-truck crashes
Why Hacker News recommends it
Cited in Tesla Autopilot crash threads to show how deadly car-into-trailer crashes are and why underride guards matter.
What it is
An IIHS news release video showing crash tests in which truck underride guards fail at relatively low speeds. The institute petitions for a stronger federal standard.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2016 to 2023.
What Hacker News said
Cites nostromo · 2016-07 · on “Tesla's 'Autopilot' Will Make Mistakes. Humans Will Overreact”
> This is the immediate cause of the fatal accident involving under-running the semitrailer. Rear ending a semi is one of the most fatal types of car crashes. People should definitely not trust automatic cruise control when driving behind a trailer. And regular drivers should give themselves some extra space when driving behind a semi. [this video]
Cites drewrv · 2019-03 · on “Tesla driver again dies in crash with trailer, Autopilot not yet ruled out”
I was researching vehicle safety for a new car purchase a few years ago and came across this video: [this video] It freaked me out and I stay as far away as possible from semis on the road now.
Cites judge2020 · 2023-10 · on “The final 11 seconds of a fatal Tesla Autopilot crash – A reconstruction”
While not what you're addressing, yes skirts and underride bars save lives: 2011: [this video] 2013: [LINK] 2018: [LINK]