solveg

On the Clydes forum there's a discussion about wearing a helmet. It went off on some tangent about wearing a helmet while driving a car. Then I made this comment, and wished Tom Bombadil would read it and say something interesting about it:

"I just heard some crazy statistic about what happens if you're drinking a can of pop when your airbag deploys... they quoted some horrifying speed and mass combo which made it sound like it would go right through your skull.

I HATE hearing stuff like that, because for the next 6 months, I'll think about that every time I drink pop while driving, and there ain't a dang thing I can do about it. Because I'm not going to stop the car every time I get thirsty. I'll bet the statistics on stopping to drink would say that it's more dangerous than drinking the pop while moving."

stapfam

I just wonder how many people have been killed by a can of pop - unless it was full and thrown at them with a great deal of force. (Like an air bag just happening to explode accidentally whilst you are drinking it) The chances of you being killed by a can are a darn site less than being killed by drinking the contents.

maddmaxx 

If it was real.........it would have been reported on inside hollywood or one of the major news networks (redundant).....

solveg

No, they didn't say it actually happened*... they just measured the force that this can/projectile would be hurtled into your skull.

Marrock

I don't know about where you live, but around here the cops can cite you if you're drinking anything while driving, I think it has something to do with not being able to see when you have your head tipped back or something...

To me it's like the cellphone law, looks good on the books but is rarely, if ever, enforced.

Digital Gee

Tom was voted off the island a while ago. He may be difficult to locate.

Floyd

Sounds like something we need to send to "Mythbusters" to investigate...
peace

RockyTopBiker

I have a solution. Redneck Camelback!!

Dchiefransom

If you drive with your hand on top of the steering wheel, and the air bag deploys, there's a chance you will be getting some of your teeth pulled out of your arm after it's slammed into your face. A lady that used to work with me had no idea how her arm got sliced open when she had her accident, but realized what happened after I mentioned this air bag caution. It wouldn't surprise me if a can of soda could do major damage to your head.

Artkansas 

We can assume that a cell phone would be equally dangerous.

maddmaxx 

Before you get Solveg all worrified about things that can happen I would like to point out that the chances of this happening are slim to none. To balance that, the chance that in an unforseen incident, the air bag will deploy and save you life are significant. Life is full of statistical gambles, like a bridge falling down or an earthquake or a plane crash or a meteorite strike.

I'm not about to go stupid on you with a "don't worry be happy" slogan but................The modern world is a pretty safe place to live if normal precautions are taken. I'd give odds of 100 to one that the airbag is more likely to do you good than to kill you with a missplaced soda can! In fact I'd be willing to bet (but haven't got a clue as to how to set the odds) that excess worrying is more likely to kill people than airbag propelled stray soda cans.

Worrying is to be reserved for what is the minimum I should carry in my saddle bag on a ride...........or what are my alternatives if they are out of cherry pie.....

solveg

OK, here is the question for Tom:

Which odds are best for killing you:

A) A soda can through the face when the airbag deploys.

B) A mishap occurring while pulling off the road to drink some pop.

C) Worrying about A and B above.

Tom Bombadil

You rang?

I've spent years developing an immunity to being smashed by a pop can!

Airbags do deploy at a very explosive rate. I don't know if it is possible to be killed by a can of pop if it is held in exactly the right position when an airbag deployes, but I wouldn't be surprised by it. Especially if it is a full can. I suppose a CD could slice your neck open too.

The main thing is to not do anything that would cause your airbag to deploy. If you crashed while drinking a can of pop, then that would not be a good thing. I'm sure the can would cause some kind of injury. A cell phone would be more off to the side, so the odds of it being a big problem are less. However they probably cause more crashes than pop cans.

To be safe you could get a 4' long straw and put the pop can into your drink holder. But then you might crash while fiddlin' with the straw. Or you could use just plastic bottles of soda. Give up the can.

Worse would be if you were drinking Sprecher's Root Beer in a 16 oz glass bottle.

Me? I'm not going to worry about it.

cranky old dude

The Soda Can never entered my mind (no pun intended here), but I've
often noticed people riding "Shotgun" with their bare feet strected out up on the
dashboard. What happens to them when the airbag deploys? Do their legs end up
behind them? Without an air bag would they just pop out through the windshield and
land on their feet? My sister-in law grabbed the "Oh-My-God" grab bar just prior to an
almost direct head-on crash and the side impact airbag almost wrenched her shoulder
out of it's socket last Dec. Both vehicles going less than 30 mph. She's still going to Phys.Therapy.

Let's not allow legislation to require airbags on bikes.

Tom Bombadil

In a crash, someone riding with their feet up on the dash is in a heap of trouble. It is almost certain that they will suffer massive injuries to their legs & hips. Even in some moderate speed crashes where they would otherwise be essentially uninjured and would be able to walk away from it.

Tom Bombadil

I have heard of significant injuries and deaths being caused by having loose, heavy objects in cars. Like having concrete blocks in the back of a station wagon. When the car traveling at 65 mph comes to a sudden stop, the concrete block continues to move at 65 until it impacts something.

cranky old dude

A big problem for those pick-up truck drivers who throw weight into the
box for increased traction on the snow in the winter time. It's dangerous
for everyone in the proximity of a crash. Cynder blocks and bags of concrete
or rock salt flying everywhere.

I drive a two wheel drive Tacoma. Studded snow tires on all four corners with
the great weight distribution of the short wheel base and the snow and ice
is no challenge what-so-ever.

Just to keep this bike related, the Tacoma's great for transporting all our bikes, including
the LWB recumbent and the Tandems.

talofa

I removed the airbags from both of my bikes, so now I can drink all the sodas I want.

Tom Bombadil

Who needs airbags on their bikes when you have shoulder straps and roll bars?

Tom Bombadil

Oh, just in case someone posts something here and expects me to respond, I'm heading out of town tomorrow for 4 days. No internet access as I'll be staying in a little motel along the Wisconsin 400 & Elroy-Sparta bike trails. Taking my bent for 3-4 days of riding and hiking.

Big Paulie

Open season on Tom Bombidell!!!

Big Paulie

Thanks for thinking about DG and me, Solveg!

(That was sarcasm.)

Tom Bombadil

Gee ... I can't wait to get back

Digital Gee

I'm sobbing again.

solveg

That's because Tom is out local Statistician. And he disappointed me because he never really* answered the 3-part question.