 | Home > Off Topic > Australia Will Rate Underwater Safety For Vehicles Starting |
 
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| spudfan Member Since: 10 Sep 2007 Location: Co Donegal Posts: 4722  
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That headline got me curious and this is the article
If the doors or windows won't work, automakers must provide a means to break the glass. Anyone who's had the misfortune of being caught in a flood or a sinking vehicle knows how absolutely terrifying it can be. Escaping in such situations isn't easy, and the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) hopes to shine some light on the subject with an underwater safety rating for new cars. Starting in 2023, ANCAP will include submergence testing as part of its overall new car rating system. It will be grouped with other ratings in ANCAP's system that explore vehicle accessibility after a crash, focusing on rescuing occupants trapped inside. According to the Australian website CarExpert, manufacturers must show that doors can be opened for at least 10 minutes underwater without battery power, and that electric windows can still function. Failing these measures, manufacturers must provide occupants a method to open or break the side windows, with information about it all included in the owner's manual. Without these steps, new vehicles from 2023 forward won't be eligible for a maximum ANCAP safety rating. Cars And Water Don't Mix: While there is no specific mention of the reason for this new criteria, ANCAP does mention recent weather events that have caused severe flooding. Beyond that, there's no question that new vehicles are getting ever more complex with electronic systems. That includes power-operated doors and door handles on some vehicles, and information on how such systems work in a flood situation is certainly hard to come by. Studies have shown that pressure differences between the interior and exterior of a sinking car can prevent doors from opening until the pressure equalizes. Unfortunately, the equalization comes when the cabin fills with water, leaving occupants very little time to escape. It's unclear if or how ANCAP's submergence rating accounts for this condition. As for vehicle safety ratings in the United States, the Insurance Institue for Highway Safety (IIHS) currently has nothing in place that measures underwater performance. Motor1.com contacted IIHS to ask about the potential for submergence ratings in the future, but a reply wasn't received prior to publication. We will jump in with an update if new information becomes available. Source: Car Expert 1982 88" 2.25 diesel 1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali 2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu 2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai |
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21st Jul 2022 9:05pm |
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| markb110 Member Since: 22 May 2010 Location: Guildford Posts: 2645  
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I had a similar problem once whilst in my 90TD at the time…….whilst driving down the M3 during a cloud burst……..
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21st Jul 2022 10:16pm |
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| spudfan Member Since: 10 Sep 2007 Location: Co Donegal Posts: 4722
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But at least it goes out as quickly as it comes in... 1982 88" 2.25 diesel
1992 110 200tdi csw -Zikali 2008 110 2.4 tdci csw-Zulu 2011 110 2.4 tdci csw-Masai |
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21st Jul 2022 10:19pm |
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| MichaelE Member Since: 18 Jan 2020 Location: Crawley West Sussex Posts: 155
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Miniature detonation cord embedded in the glass. Like on fighter jet cockpit glass. Might as well have an ejection seat as well.
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22nd Jul 2022 11:17am |
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| trevorg Member Since: 28 May 2022 Location: Aisne Posts: 51  
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When I lived in The Netherlands it was a requirement that cars were fitted with a break glass hammer within reach of the driver.
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22nd Jul 2022 4:04pm |
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| lohr500 Member Since: 14 Sep 2014 Location: Skipton Posts: 1319  
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That seems like a very sensible rule for The Netherlands, given the abundance of polders, waterways, drainage ditches and other expanses of water.
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22nd Jul 2022 5:25pm |
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