Volvo: Every accident brings new insights
CAUSES ON THE TRACK Since 1970, a Volvo accident research team has been on standby around the clock. As soon as a crash involving a model from the Swedes has occurred around Gothenburg, the experts set off to the scene of the accident. There, the scene and the course of events are investigated in as much detail as possible, and many questions [...]
There, the place and the course of events are investigated in as much detail as possible and many questions are asked:
- How strong was the impact? How did the safety systems intervene?
- How are the passengers?
- What were the weather conditions like?
- What time was it?
- What was the condition of the lane markings?
Back at the office, the work continues: the team requests publicly available police reports, contacts the driver and, if possible, investigates the vehicle.
Analysis of the individual phase of the accident
Malin Ekholm, Head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre: "The team's work and research on tragic road accidents should lead to even safer vehicles. By analyzing what happened at each stage of the accident, we gain important information on how we can further improve our vehicles even more."
Causes of the injuries are important
In addition, the accident researchers try to understand how the driver experienced the accident. Behavioral researchers from the Safety Center are also involved in this process.
Finally, those involved in the accident are asked to provide insight into their medical records. The experts want to know details about the injuries sustained. Biomechanics experts and physicists then try to find out the exact cause of the injuries.
Malin Eckholm: "Every year, 30 to 50 accidents are investigated in this way. The accident research team is far from being the only source of data for our safety experts, but it helps us enormously in understanding details."
