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Under The Microscope: THE DRIVER

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Obraz
  Numerous investigations have been made by road research organizations and car manufacturers using dummies and actual corpses, together with sophisticated recording equipment and high-speed cinematography. These have establisheda detailed picture of the sequence of events in automobilecrashes. When the most common event  -  frontal impact  -  occurs, the unrestrained driver first slides forwards so that his legs strike the fascialparcel-shelf area, and his abdomen or lower chest contacts the lower edge of the steering wheel. The body then flexes across the steering wheel and begins to rise. The heavy head goes forwards, and there is flexion of the cervical and thoracic spines. The upward and forward component causes the head to strike the windscreen, the upper windscreen rim or the side pillar. The windscreen is often perforated by the head or face, and the whole body may be ejected through the broken glass, to land on the bonnet or even on the roadway ahead. A...
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Under The Microscope: CRASH &'CRUMPLE'

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Obraz
  Injuries and fatalities occur in all forms of transportation but numerically road traffic accidents account for the great majority worldwide. In developed countries, they are the most common cause of death below the age of 50 years, and in young men this trend is even more marked. The pattern of injury, fatal and otherwise, varies considerably depending upon whether the victim is a vehicle occupant, a motorcyclist, a pedal cyclist or a pedestrian.     A number of elementary physical facts help to explain the complex pattern of traffic injuries, especially those sus- tained by the occupants of a vehicle.    o     Tissue injury is caused by a change of rate of movement. A constant speed, however rapid, has no effect whatsoever as is evident from space travel or the rotation of the earth. It is the change of rate that is traumatic - that is, acceleration or deceleration.  o     Change of rate is conveniently measured in 'graviti...
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Under The Microscope: GOES OFF

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Obraz
  Unless a sophisticated high-explosive military device is involved, or if the victim is virtually adjacent to a lower energy terrorist bomb, blast effects will rarely be the sole cause of death. The body will, however, be vulnerable to impact from solid fragments originating from the bomb casing or a container or conveyance, such  as  a car in which the bomb was concealed. Fragments of metals, from tiny splinters to large chunks or sheets, will be projected at high speed. The smaller ones will not travel more than a few metres, but larger, heavier pieces can fly over considerable distances and can cause serious or fatal injuries in just the same way as projectiles from a firearm. In the open, debris is scoured away, including dust and dirt, which  can  impinge on the body to injure and discolour it. At autopsy the body may appear pigmented from this dust blasting, the clothing causing a shadow effect similar to bathing suit protection from sunburn.  A...
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