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 At one time or another, most people have seen images of crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During these tests, dummies sit in the driver’s seat of cars as they strike a barrier while traveling at speeds of up to 40 mph testing airbag deployment (cars are also tested for side-impact and low speed crashes). During these frontal impact collisions, three things are assessed: how well each vehicle's structural design prevents intrusion into the occupant compartment; injury risk, which is measured on a dummy representing an average-size male in the driver seat; and how well the belt and airbag perform and interact with the steering column and other vehicle parts to control dummy movement (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).
But are these tests really an accurate portrayal of what the human body can withstand in a crash? The simple answer is no. All crash dummies have spines made out of metal discs, rubber padding, and steel cables. It is impossible (and unreasonable) to compare steel to the fragile bones and ligaments that make up the human body.
Dummy Neck
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This is the dummy’s neck made up of metal discs, steel cables, and hard plastic spacers.
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Human Neck
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This is a typical cervical spine consisting of soft bones, held together by ligaments.
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Dummy Neck vs. Human Neck
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Car Crash
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G Forces
Video courtesy of the History Channel
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This video demonstrates the gravity forces. G is the force that pushes or pulls against your body. You experience higher Gs when you change speeds or directions rapidly.
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