Rear-end collision would have killed kids in third row seats

U

Unregistered

Guest
My 2001 V70 was rear-ended, while stopped, by a raised up jeep with a winch on front (Aug 29, 2013). This kind of rig is not uncommon in the northwest. I was the only passenger (driver) and, due to the good anti-whiplash design of the seats, had no injury or even pain from a really hard slam (see photos). However, the entire back cargo area was crushed and I think had there been kids in the third row seats, they would have been killed or seriously injured. They are teens now, and don't ride there, but I feel really really lucky and would say NEVER put kids in those seats!!!!

I will buy another Volvo for the main passenger compartment safety, and the anti-whiplash seats - but advise all parents - do not use the third row, get a minivan.

I am not sure how to embed images but here is a link to the photos - pretty scary!
<img="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202045780643808&set=a.10202045779483779.1073741828.1165321777&type=3&theater">
 
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Keeanh

Well-known member
Glad you're okay! And yeah, those trunk seats are scary.

The pic didn't come through for me, but I found it by copying & pasting the link.

1235110_10202045780643808_848923894_n.jpg


Here's the link to the album: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...9 483779.1073741828.1165321777&type=3&theater
 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin
Staff member
Thank you for sharing! As the caption on your photo indicates, this is not only a safety concern with third row seats. The concern is vehicle compatibility. I notice the bumper was largely untouched, meaning the taller vehicle was too high (or in this case the winch on the taller vehicle) and went over the bumper, missing the major component of crash protection in the frame of the lower vehicle. Had this crash been a head-on crash, the front occupants would have also likely been severely injured or killed, because the major component of the frontal chassis crash protection would have been lower as well. In a side impact, this seems almost like a "Pole" type of crash, one that tends to be more difficult to protect against compared to a wide, low bumper, but even worse, it would again miss the lower part of the frame of the chassis in this case.

This was a more common problem over a decade ago, when full size trucks and SUVs were not made compatible with lower vehicles. In addition to the added mass being more dangerous to a smaller vehicle in a head-on crash, their bumpers would ride over the bumper of the smaller car and be even more deadly. Supposedly, changes have been made on newer trucks to make sure the lower vehicle's crush space is not missed in this way. Of course, if you add a winch or something, all bets are off:-( I think the main problem here is not the Volvo chassis itself, but that the third row faces the rear, making it perhaps somewhat less safe in a rear-ender of this type than a typical SUV or minivan. On the other hand, it is perhaps somewhat safer in a frontal crash for kids who are an appropriate age and size to use it.

My impression is that nearly any vehicle would have been at great risk for an occupant struck by this truck/winch, whether from the back, front or side. I hope you are OK and glad no one was seated there! Definitely see a specialist regarding your neck and back. From personal experience, you may not notice the symptoms immediately and with that damage, it's clear a lot of energy was involved.
 

henrietta

Well-known member
I agree with Darren, and glad I didn't type out half of what he did...I'm glad I read that first! :)

I actually have a 2002 Volvo XC70 (same wagon as yours, just the all wheel drive version) and mine also has the rear facing jump seat. I'm actually pretty comfortable with that seat, although I wish that it fit more kids properly than t actually does. I don't use it that much, but I'm fairly comfortable with it. The lap belt fit is a bit high on the kids it's supposed to fit and it doesn't have as much head support as they should have.

Passengers in the third row of many vehicles, esp smaller vehicles w/a third row (thinking of vehicles like the Ford Freestyle), would have been at serious risk w/the crash you experienced. No different than my husband getting hit head on by an 18 wheeler the week before your crash (Aug. 20)..:eek: He got lucky that it wasn't as bad as it could have been--he was nearly stopped and the truck driver braked HARD & slowed down very quickly and tried to veer away. The truck was definitely up over the hood of his VW Passat

Some crashes just aren't survivable...intrusion from objects, like the wench, is a very big deal. My hubby saw a pick up get rear ended, just a good tap, but it was deadly. The two men in the truck had a 4 wheeler in the back w/tie downs--it went thru the cab and flattened it.

Hope you're okay and glad that no one else was in the car with you to experience that crash. Very scary.
 

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