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OPINION: US DOT goes overboard on "inclusiveness"

by dunkelberg | July 9, 2008 at 10:43 am | 150 views | 3 comments

Look at what the government is doing now!

Beginning with the 2010 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will change the way it measures frontal crash tests by placing female dummies in passenger seats and taking injury data from new parts of the body, including the legs and neck.

What's next? Dogs and cats?
I tell you, this damn PC inclusiveness has just got to stop.
There is no rhyme or reason for it.

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Anonymous (not verified)

at 14:02 on July 9th, 2008

trying to identify the source of frustration here:

are you unhappy that test dummies with different weight and size ratios are being used to analyze the implied difference in impact reactions and extent of injuries?

why? how is gaining more constructive information bad?

the new 'female' dummy is simply a representation of a drastically different body attributes, and as per article even doubles as a simulation of large children.

japan goes as far as testing dummies that resemble the exceptionally elderly.
they even employ special inhibitor suits to design the interior with them in consideration
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/nissan-using-special-suit-to-simulate-elderly-drivers/
does that upset you as well?

amyjudd

at 14:05 on July 9th, 2008

I'm not sure I understand exactly what value female dummies will add to the tests - I suppose females' body mass is distributed differently so they sit differently in the car and might fall forward differently, but I wouldn't think it would make such a difference as to warrant a whole new test - but then, what do I know? I suppose it can't hurt!

dunkelberg

at 16:32 on July 9th, 2008

To be serious for a nanosecond, they are reporting more serious injuries from women in the front passenger seat and they are trying to track that down.

[back to satire mode]