#crash

General Motors is moving closer to a solution for the fires that occurred in Volts after crash testing earlier this year.

“Reclaimed” is one of those buzzwords that’s come along in the last year or two to described mundane things like dead wood that’s been turned into a high priced consumer good. Think of a tabletop made from “reclaimed wood” and sold at a premium in a bougie furniture store and you get the idea.

Believe it or not, hybrids are safer in a crash than their gasoline-only counterparts, according to a new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute.

Gas, tires and insurance probably don’t matter much if you’re in the market for a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang, but safety does.

Would you trust new technology with your life? One Chevy Volt owner did, and walked away from a rather serious smash-up mostly unharmed.

The accident took place on a public lapping day at the “Bergwerk” section, where a construction company was doing some repair work, which is not a great idea especially when novices are out on the track. According to reports, four cars were racing as they approached the construction zone, which according to some was not clearly marked.

A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed a significant drop in fatalities involving accidents between a car or a minivan versus an SUV of comparable weight.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Jeep Liberty SUVs built between 2002 and 2003 for an issue regarding the premature deployment of airbags.

This past week, The International Motor Press Association ( IMPA) held a track day at the Monticello Motor Club in New York, where a number of automotive journalists from various publications gathered together to test cars, critique each vehicle’s merits objectively, and perform all the good work being an automotive journalist entails.

The kid confused the gas pedal for the brake in his Toyota Hilux pickup truck and careened into his mother, who was sitting in front of the motor vehicle registry. The mother was pinned against the wall and thankfully survived after being rushed to the hospital, albeit with severe leg injuries.

The 2011 Dodge Durango was awarded the Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The SUV earned the award based on receiving a score of ‘good’ in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests.

The Dodge Durango implements advances to offer 45 safety and security featuers aiding drivers in vulnerable situations as well as keeping drivers safe when accidents occur.

“The performance of the Durango means buyers are getting the best protection in the most common kinds of crashes, and electronic stability control for avoiding many crashes altogether,” IIHS President Adrian Lund said.

The Durango can now join the line of other Top Safety Pick winners including the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 200 sedan, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey and Jeep Patriot.

Check out the crash test after the jump!

Arizona officials say a 21 year old motorist survived a 200 foot drop after his car plummeted into the Grand Canyon. The driver in question claims it was an accident and was treated for non-life threatening injuries, and was able to remove himself from the car and ascend the 200 feet to seek help. No word on what kind of car he was driving either.

Chalk it up to youthful hubris. A 20-year old man totalled a 200+mph Gumpert Apollo on a country road in Germany, careening 60 meters into a pasture and reducing the 700-horsepower car to scrap.

The United States Department of Transportation reported that 2010 was a record low for traffic fatalities, besting the previous record of 2009. While that year saw 33,808 deaths, 2010 saw a drop to 32,708.

Both the DOT and NHTSA credit public awareness campaigns and stricter law enforcement, with programs against impaired driving, distracted driving and even pro-seatbelt campaigns being lauded. Undoubtedly, safer vehicles and improved safety systems can also share some of the glory, but either way, we are pleased to see the statistic falling and hope that its a continuing trend in the future.

[Source: NHTSA]

Arguably the most exciting part of this weekend’s Le Mans series race in France wasn’t the racing – but the crashing.

While anything from trading paint to end-overs always draws excitement (just ask the legions of NASCAR fans), it’s as much the reason for this crash as what happened that’s so interesting.

Taking place at the famed Paul Ricard circuit, the lights went green to start the race, but the Audi pace car had not left the track. The field immediately began to accelerate, only to then resort to braking in a hurry so as not to pass (or run into) the safety car. Unfortunately for those at the back of the pack, the front straight at Paul Ricard comes after a bump in the track, so that those at the back of the pack can’t see the front-runners – although they can see the race lights. With the prototypes braking and the GT cars still accelerating, a pileup was inevitable. The resulting crashes took out four of the five competitors in the GTE-AM Class, leaving the one untouched car to top the podium.

[Source: AxisofOversteer]

Watch the video after the jump: