During June safety experts from all over the world attended the fifth International Experimental Safety Vehicle Conference, in London. British Leyland engineers and products took a prominent part.
One of their ideas is the "People Catcher", which is a low bumper (only 12 to 13 in. from the ground) combined with a wedge-shaped front to the car. A pedestrian struck at that point is tipped back onto the hood rather than being forced under the car or to the side. There is also a restraining bar actuated by impact sensitive sensors. The device was demonstrated on a modified sedan.
Jack Daniels, chief engineer of the project 
criticises U.S. Federal regulations which call for a standard bumper height of 20 in. Low bumpers, he says, are "crucial if pedestrians are to have a chance at all." In the U.K. pedestrian fatalities account for about 40 per cent of road deaths. In the U.S.A. they represent about 20 per cent overall, but about 50 per cent of fatalities in urban areas.
Valued Exposure: Model Hannele Ahovuori demonstrates the British Leyland developed Pedestrian Protection System at the Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne Parks, Berkshire, on a modified British Leyland 1300 car, June 1974. Photo: Roger Jackson/Central Press/Getty Images
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Posted: 30/04/2008 23:35
