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0 pointsdonkeyd10y ago0 comments

I've been taught to always hold the break when at a stop light. If you get rear-ended, you won't roll into the intersection. Also, always hold the steering wheel, so you keep control if you get rear-ended.

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tudorw10y ago

I was taught to engage the hand brake when stopping at a junction or lights for this reason, a rear end impact would generally be at low speed compared to the speed of the potentail traffic in the crossing lane.

Swizec10y ago

I've always assumed you can press the brake post fact to prevent rolling into an intersection, which I assumed was better than absorbing a lot of G-force.

Fundamentally, I think, if the impact is too strong for you to be able to react in time to brake before rolling too far, you would have rolled into the intersection despite holding the brake. Except it would be a skid not a roll.

I could be wrong, obviously.

crottypeter10y ago

Your vehicle will accelerate less (fewer Gs) if your brakes are on.

Swizec10y ago

The energy is still going to have to go somewhere.

Some of it will go into the crumple zones, the rest will go into burning rubber and throwing passengers against their restraints.

The question is whether a person is better able to withstand being pushed from the back with rapid acceleration, or absorbing the energy of a collision.

I do not have an answer, but I'm very interested where I could find one.

You mention whiplash in another comment. Wouldn't you avoid most whiplash with a properly configured headrest?

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donkeydOP10y ago

It's not about impact being strong. The surprise of the impact will severely slow down your reaction. By the time you've reacted, it's probably too late.

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tudorw10y ago

Swizec10y ago

I've always assumed you can press the brake post fact to prevent rolling into an intersection, which I assumed was better than absorbing a lot of G-force.

I could be wrong, obviously.

crottypeter10y ago

Your vehicle will accelerate less (fewer Gs) if your brakes are on.

Swizec10y ago

The energy is still going to have to go somewhere.

Some of it will go into the crumple zones, the rest will go into burning rubber and throwing passengers against their restraints.

The question is whether a person is better able to withstand being pushed from the back with rapid acceleration, or absorbing the energy of a collision.

I do not have an answer, but I'm very interested where I could find one.

You mention whiplash in another comment. Wouldn't you avoid most whiplash with a properly configured headrest?

1 more reply

donkeydOP10y ago

It's not about impact being strong. The surprise of the impact will severely slow down your reaction. By the time you've reacted, it's probably too late.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse