Vehicle manufacturer Volvo has unleashed its “Vision 2020” plan, which is to have no one killed or seriously injured in its vehicles by 2020.
Volvo’s Safety History
60 years ago, Volvo was on the cutting edge of technology and invented an innovative device that would save a million lives over time. The invention was the modern seat belt. While a lap-belt design was already in place, the company added the important shoulder strap that would help keep the upper body of the vehicle occupant in place in case of an accident. A 1967 study showed that no belted occupants died at speeds below 60 mph in 28,000 crashes. The company generously made the seat belt available to the rest of the automotive industry for free. The seat belt invention placed Volvo squarely in the middle of the safety discussion. Today, the company enjoys an international reputation for safety.
In this same generous spirit and focus on safety, Volvo has shared its multi-million dollar safety research with the automotive industry, hoping that this data will help minimize fatalities and serious injuries in car accidents.
Crash Studies
The Volvo Crash Centre in Gothenburg has crashed more than 400 vehicles a year since its establishment. The innovative site has two 100 meter long tunnels that the center can rotate to adjust the angle test vehicles travel in. This method is used to simulate a variety of accident types, ranging from small fender benders to serious head-on collisions. Since the mid 1990s, Volvo has experienced with a variety of crash test dummies, including a frontal impact dummy that replicated the size and stature of a woman. Then, a side-impact dummy was developed in 2001 to explore safety outcomes of T-bone accidents. A virtual model of a pregnant mother was then developed, followed by a larger model to explore the effects of whiplash.
Women at Risk
Women are more likely to be injured in vehicle collisions than others. One of the reasons why this is the case is because many crash test dummies that the industry uses represent males. The data that car manufacturers use is also based on the male anatomy. Differences in anatomy, flexibility and neck strength translate to women being more likely to sustain whiplash injuries. As a result, women need different designs that protect them.
Volvo is aware of this issue and says that it is prioritizing safety for the full spectrum of drivers, not just the average drivers. Its goal is to make vehicles equally safe, regardless of factors like sex, height or weight.
Sharing the Research
These studies have provided important safety data, which Volvo has shared with other manufacturers. This generous share has resulted in more than 100 research papers being completed that use Volvo’s experiments and uploaded to the company’s website so that other manufacturers and academics can freely access them. These individuals and companies can find analysis based on 43,000 crashes that have actually occurred so that they can analyze why accidents occurred and which injuries were sustained. The findings have been used to inform Volvo’s design of vehicles.
Additional research on the site covers a variety of injuries, including injuries to the:
- Chest
- Head
- Spine
- Neck and shoulders
Additionally, the digital library includes papers on child safety.
Newest Design and its Safety Features
The XC90 is the latest vehicle design by the vehicle manufacturer. Many people equate this vehicle to a tank. It is made up of very strong steel, which has resulted in Volvo providing advice on how to get occupants out of the vehicle with the Jaws of Life. The vehicle is equipped with head restraints instead of headrests due to results of female crash dummy research findings. Inflatable curtains protect children from the door in case an accident does occur. Thousands of these vehicles have been destroyed in safety testing, which has revealed impressive results.
The vehicle is also equipped with a number of safety features that are designed to prevent accidents with pedestrians, cyclists and others. Sensors cause the brakes to be automatically applied to prevent accidents. Steering controls monitor movement around the vehicle and help avoid hitting pedestrians.
Legal Help for Accident Victims
While Volvo’s mission is admirable, millions of car accidents occur in the United States every day. People who are injured in automotive accidents can seek the help of a qualified personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for the damages that they have sustained, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage and pain and suffering.
