Force of Impact

Force of Impact

The Force of Impact is the force with which a moving vehicle collides with an object or other moving objects.

Affected by the Kinetic Energy of the vehicles involved in the collision.
Distance travelled after the initial impact between them until the vehicle/s come to a complete stop.
Weight of the vehicle/s involved in the collision
Speed at which the vehicle/s were traveling

Force of Impact

Diminishing the Consequences
When you are about to be in a collision you should:
Reduce your speed

Head-On Collision
If two vehicles of equal weight traveling in opposite directions at equal speed collide, their force of impact will be equal to that of the two speeds combined
50km/h going east collides with 50km/h going west is equal to a vehicle going 100km/h and running into a solid barrier
If one vehicle is larger or moving faster than the other, the smaller, slower moving vehicle will receive more damage.

Avoid a head-on collision at all costs.
Steer to Avoid Oncoming Traffic Steer to the right, and avoid hitting another vehicle
Steer Toward Objects That Will Absorb on Impact Aim towards a “softer” object rather than a “harder” one.

Hit Something Moving In The Same Direction As You
The Kinetic Energy involved will be the difference in speed between the two vehicles

Hit A Stationary Object Rather Than An Oncoming Object
A stationary object has zero kinetic energy and will absorb some of the force, increasing your chance of avoiding injury

Hit a Stationary Object With A Glancing Blow
Deflecting the crash will diminish the force of impact on your vehicle and increases your chance of avoiding injury.

Choose Where You Are Hit
Accelerate or brake so that a side-impact collision occurs with the front or rear of your vehicle, thus protecting the passenger compartment.