In a high-stakes showdown over proposed fuel-efficiency standards, the auto industry is playing its ace: the "safety" card. In radio ads and over the Internet, it's pushing a message that implies that tougher standards will force automakers to make smaller and lighter cars that are not as crashworthy as today's less efficient models.( CS Monitor)
Search this blog
Profile
Enrique Gili is a freelance writer covering Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS), issues for regional magazines in the Southland and beyond. I live in Ocean Beach, San Diego the coolest beach town around.
Recent Posts
- N'Orleans A Center for Creativity
- Useful Mutants Alter Crops
- Cracking Red Wine's Double Helix
- A Piggy Went to Market
- In Brazil Biopiracy Laws Stifle Scientists
- Counterfeit Nation
- China Chokes As Economy Roars
- Food or Fuel, the Farmers Dilemma
- Cheap Thrills in the Garden
- Stuy High Cherishes Nerds
Recent Comments
- Lab Cat on Cracking Red Wine's Double Helix
- left_Wing_Fox on Cracking Red Wine's Double Helix
- Dunc on Counterfeit Nation
- Jonathan Vos Post on Stuy High Cherishes Nerds
- Enrique on Burning Man's Greener, Sensitive Side
- vika on Burning Man's Greener, Sensitive Side
- 6EQUJ5 on Cheap Thrills in the Garden
- vika on Burning Man's Greener, Sensitive Side
- Ahcuah on Food or Fuel, the Farmers Dilemma
- vika on Burning Man's Greener, Sensitive Side
Categories
Archives
Blogroll
Fellow Travelers
Are you worthy? Suggest a link.
« Vaccine Court Begins Thimerisal Trial | Main | N.C. Man Fined for Coverting to Biodiesel »
Fuel Economy vs Car Safety
Category: Transportation
Posted on: June 12, 2007 3:29 PM, by EJGili
Send this entry to:
Email this entry to a friend
View the Technorati Link Cosmos for this entry
Comments
This tactic has always worked for them before. Its easy to conflate the publics perception that they (individually) feel safer in a heavier vehicle, with overall fleet safety. So the race to the heaviest vehicle continues unabated.
Posted by: bigTom | June 12, 2007 04:42 PM
Of course, if all the cars have higher fuel standards, then they all have less momentum to crash with and current safety equipment will suffice.
Of course, better collision avoidance and/or auto-drive roads/systems could improve things as well.
Or that foam restraint system from "Demolition Man"
Posted by: Madrocketscientist | June 12, 2007 04:45 PM