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Thursday 30th September 2004
LETHAL LUGGAGE
More
than a quarter of a million new students could be at
risk travelling to college or university for the first
time this month – from their own
luggage.
Today
(30), as students all over the country leave home to
start the new academic term, with everything but the
kitchen sink in tow, the RAC Foundation is issuing a
warning that luggage can be lethal, if not properly
loaded and strapped down.
In spite of improvements
in car safety over recent years, with better crash
testing, airbags and anti-lock braking systems as well
as effective road safety awareness campaigns - most
motorists fail to realise the potential dangers of the
everyday objects lurking in their vehicles.
In
the event of sudden braking, anything from a heavy
suitcase, to an umbrella, a box of kitchen utensils or
even a mobile phone can become a deadly
missile.
The RAC Foundation is urging drivers to
take a short time to check that potentially dangerous
items are fastened before setting off on their journey.
Even small objects such as mobile phones should be
safely stowed away. Motorists should use all secured
spaces including the glovebox, armrests, door pockets
and console compartments.
It isn’t just luggage
which can be lethal however. Unrestrained rear seat
passengers can also be a deadly force in a collision so
seat belts should be worn on every journey.
The
RAC Foundation has set out the anatomy of a car crash to
highlight the dangers posed by loose luggage:
- Your car hits a solid object, like a tree or
stationary car, at 30mph.
- After only 0.015 seconds, the airbag is fully
inflated, your seatbelt keeps you firmly in your seat
and your chances of escaping with just a few bruises
are good.
- There is a mobile phone on your back shelf.
Although your car is now motionless, the phone – which
was not stopped by the obstacle your car hit – is
still travelling at 30mph. The phone weighs around 125
grams but is flying forwards with a force equal to
around 5 kilos.
- 0.14 seconds after the car’s initial impact,
you are hit by the phone. The impact resembles a blow
to the head with the force of two bricks.
The Foundation is also calling on motor
manufacturers to make rigorous tests of the ability of
rear seats to withstand pressure from heavy luggage. In
some accidents the pressure from luggage pushes the rear
seat forward, trapping and crushing the rear seat
occupant.
Pets should also be restrained, using a
specially designed harness that clips into a passenger
seat belt. Properly restrained cages should be used for
smaller animals such as cats. An unrestrained pet in the
boot or underneath the rear seat can be both a dangerous
distraction and a lethal projectile at high speeds in an
accident.
Previous RAC Foundation research found
that eighty per cent of injuries to household pets
whilst travelling in a vehicle, could have been avoided
if the driver had properly contained and restrained the
animal.
The RAC Foundation advises motorists to
follow its six point safety plan for reducing the risk
from luggage:
Always make sure that every piece
of luggage is removed from the interior of the car and
placed in the boot, even items of low weight
- Always place luggage immediately behind the
backs of the rear seats
- Always stow heavy pieces of luggage at the
bottom of the boot
- In hatchbacks and estates, secure luggage with
a luggage net or straps
- If there are no passengers in the rear of the
car, always close the rear safety belts, if possible
cross-wise – this gives the back of the seat
additional stability and prevents luggage from
breaking through.
- Ensure that cats and dogs travel in a secure
carrier, in the rear behind an animal divider or wear
a specially designed harness.
Edmund King,
Executive Director of the RAC Foundation
said:
“
Many students are heading off to start a new life at
university or college this month and will be setting up
home - taking all the items they need with them. As well
as large amounts of “normal” luggage, they may also be
transporting items as diverse as pots and pans, beds,
stereo systems and furniture.
“ Even seemingly
innocuous items can be transformed into life-threatening
weapons if they are loose in the vehicle and you have to
stop suddenly. Most people just don’t realise how
dangerous loose objects in a car can be.
“ If a
car hits a solid object at 30mph, though your seat belt
holds you firmly in place, a ten kilo bag will continue
travelling forward at that speed, hitting you with the
force of half a
ton.”
ENDS
The RAC
Foundation for Motoring is an independent body
established to protect and promote the interests of UK
motorists. Motoring organisation RAC supports its seven
million customers with breakdown cover and a wide range
of other motoring solutions. The views of each
organisation should not be attributed to the
other.
Edmund King
Executive Director
RAC
Foundation
Tel 020 7747 3485
Mobile 07850 786
960
ISDN 020 7389 0601
Sue
Nicholson
Head of Campaigns
RAC
Foundation
0141-226-3305
Mobile 07860
421877
ISDN 0141 248 2903
Sarah Forrow
Campaigns Manager
RAC
Foundation
020 7747 3486
Mobile 07711 776
448 |
