Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard
More weight in a one vehicle accident means there is more momentum to dissipate. If it takes the same amount of time to stop, then a heavier vehicle will have far higher forces. Hitting a "stationary" object in a lighter vehicle is better than in a heavier vehicle, all else being equal.
Of course, the design of any vehicle is far more important that it's weight. If weight was the only thing that mattered, then why aren't we making cars out of lead?
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The fact that a heavier car has more momentum means it will take longer to stop regardless of what it hits. This means that the impact forces on the occupants will be
lower,
smoother, and applied over a longer period of time. The impact forces on what it hits are irrelevant.
Weight isn't the only thing that matters in safety just as safety isn't the only thing that matters in a car, however weight is a big determinant factor in safety.
FYI: Lead isn't used because it is too soft to support even itself in a large structure.