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November 7, 2008

Strange But True!

Q. What's it like to be involved in 846 car crashes, a world record? Wouldn't only a “dummy” do this on purpose?

A. The human “crash test dummy” is Rusty Haight, a former California policeman who taught accident investigation before opting for some hands-on investigation of his own, says Justin Mullins in New Scientist magazine. Artificial dummies are designed for high-speed crashes and are built to last, with stiff necks and other features to prevent breaking. But at lower speeds they are of limited use because they respond differently than a real person. Enter Haight. In a typical low-speed crash, he is subjected to about 10 Gs on average — 10 times the force of gravity — as if his 200-pound frame momentarily weighed 2,000 pounds! (That's why a car occupant can't really brace against a crash.) On one day alone Haight did nine crashes before noon, making his ribs and shoulders sore and tiring him out, victim of what biomechanicists call the “third collision,” where internal organs slam ahead into the ribs or inside of the skull.


 
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