Collision Experiences

[Shoto]

Anyone out there know of any instances where recent Avensis cars have been involved in major collisions?

The main reason for asking is that I'm considering a Tourer as my next company car (see New Company Car thread) and a colleague has just been seriously injured in a Mondeo. My colleage turned left at a T junction and was struck head-on by a bus that decided to overtake by moving to the opposite side of the road on the approach to the junction. My colleague was just changing from 1st to 2nd gear but the impact to the front of the brand new Mondeo was sufficient to cause very serious lower leg injuries that may yet result in the amputation of the left lower leg.

Another colleague was hit from behind whilst stationary at red traffic lights. The previous model Passat he was driving didn't have active head restraints and he suffered a nasty whiplash injury.

We all undergo regular advanced driver training but incidents such as those described can't always be prevented so I'm keen to hear of experiences of driver/passenger protection with the new Avensis.

Many thanks ;)

[Black Knight]

Well it's supposed to score very highly in the NCAP tests but as for real world I've no experience of a serious shunt.

As for getting hit hea on by a bus eeeeek!

[jamesholden]

Well only going by theory and official crash tests, the Mondeo got a significantly lower percentage when tested by EuroNcap in the frontal crash test than the Avensis.

As for the head restraints I'm not sure if there active but I know they are in cars like the Vectra which always score highly in this type of accident, again though it scored higher than the Mondeo.

If your worried about changing gear causing you a problem in an accident then get an automatic which makes more sense than having a manual anyway really, especially if you get a car with Cruise Control.

[Jinxed]

Not being funny like but if your driving a car and a truck, bus, anything large hits you, or you drive into something sturdy like a decent tree then I think its really going to be down to luck and last second driver decisions whether you sustain a serious injury.

IMO dont plan to hit something, plan to avoid hitting by buying something that can manouver, accelerate and brake well. I know this kind of isnt an answer to the post but.... the people with real horror stories arent around to tell them anymore :(

[JAHill]

Not being funny like but if your driving a car and a truck, bus, anything large hits you, or you drive into something sturdy like a decent tree then I think its really going to be down to luck and last second driver decisions whether you sustain a serious injury.

IMO dont plan to hit something, plan to avoid hitting by buying something that can manouver, accelerate and brake well. I know this kind of isnt an answer to the post but.... the people with real horror stories arent around to tell them anymore :(

It's very true though.

I've been in two bad collisions, one as passenger and one as a driver, both in Fords. The first happened about five years previous to the other. The improvements in safety back then (about ten years) compared to the one fifteen years ago are amazing. We were "ragdolled" in the first collision. I actually blacked out but came to with cuts and abbrasions from the belt and a host of lumps and cuts on my head after hitting the dash, the side pillar and the head rest with my head. The second time I was driving and took a head on, the car spiralled off but the belt just seem to pull me into the seat and just held me there while I spun off the road. The car had lost it's front end but I walked. Both were in Escorts and both were about a 40 to 40mph head on. If you are talking collisions with normal vehicles then anything with five stars in NCAP is going to be better. The kneebag in an Avensis is very well thought out as I personally know someone who had to undergo very painfull surgery to repair her knee after the key embedded itself in her kneecap. Jokes about keyhole surgery aside, she was okay after the surgery, but a kneebag would have stopped that painfull experience dead.

Go by the NCAP because in a real world situation there are so many factors involved that you can't really plan for it. Stay alert, keep your brakes keen, avoid what you can and have a safe car.

Edit: Should add that kneebags are good, unless you have tons of keys on your car key ring. Toyota gives some top advice on that in the Avensis manual, basically telling you to just have your car key and leave it at that. Top advice. Boring, but safe.

[Black Knight]

Anyone see that 5thGear/Driven (can't remember which) where they crashed a 10year old people carrier into a brand new one (same model). Driver of the 10 year old one would have been in surgery for leg trauma where as the brand new one might have had a couple of bruises

[uumode]

According to the 03 Avensis brochure the car scored 34 points out of a maximum of 36 in the Euro NCAP tests (the 06 Avensis may be even better).

However on the frontal collision test it rates 88%

http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_rat...1=3&id2=172

where a Citroen C5 scores 100% in the frontal collision with a total of 36 points (which according to Toyota is the maximum?) http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_rat...1=3&id2=205

Incidently the new Mondeo rates 63% in the frontal

http://www.euroncap.com/content/safety_rat...d1=3&id2=97

The safety aspects of the Avensis is one of the major factors which attracted me to the car, and vehicle stability control is a must (not all Avensis' have it as standard.. not sure if the new 06 range diesels have it).

According to What Car it can reduce road deaths by 30%, (and possibly serious injury by even more)

http://www.whatcar.com/news-article.aspx?NA=219916

I found the video interesting.

Also not waiting until the tyres reach the legal minimum helps substantially (as Auto Express reveal in their shock horror findings)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/autoexpresstv...fety_shock.html

[Aki]

I had a 2001 old shape Avensis estate and was involved in an accident where I drove into the back of a stationary BMW (yes – my fault L). It was at something just under 30mph (I think). Both front air bags activated (not the side ones) and the seat belt pre-tensioners worked. I had a very bruised ego and a slight bruising to ribs (from belt) and ringing ears from the air bags, but otherwise got out (the doors worked) and was fine. Not equal to the crash you describe but she protected me well, and without hesitation I replaced her with an 03 new shape model that is even safer.

[Shoto]

Glad you came out of it ok Aki.

[runboy]

Anyone see that 5thGear/Driven (can't remember which) where they crashed a 10year old people carrier into a brand new one (same model). Driver of the 10 year old one would have been in surgery for leg trauma where as the brand new one might have had a couple of bruises

5th Gear and they were a pair of Renault Espace's. Watching the slow-motion footage, the new Esapce continued to travel longer after the crash, as the old Esapce continued to crumple further and further back into the cabin.

Seeing the wrecks afterwards makes you appreciate the leaps of car safety over the years.

[funkyg]

I had an accident in mine just before Christmas last year. I was hit side on by a ten year old Metro going at least 40 mph (I know they're made out of tin foil!) Everyone in my car was totally uninjured, damge to front drivers side wing and suspension. The other car was a right mess front end was at least two feet shorter and the dash/steering column had encroached towrds the other driver by about six inches bruising her knees.

Really angry about that accident. Strictly speaking it was my fault as I pulled out on her, but I didn't see her coming from behind a parked car. Looked right nothing coming, looked left nothing coming pulled out and BANG. She was doing at least 40 in a 30 zone, but all the witnesses took her side. Net result, my fault. Grrrrr

[Shoto]

Sorry to hear about your misfortune Funkyg. At least you and your passengers were unscathed, glad to hear the car delivered in terms of occupant safety.

[uumode]

I had an accident in mine just before Christmas last year. I was hit side on by a ten year old Metro going at least 40 mph (I know they're made out of tin foil!) Everyone in my car was totally uninjured, damge to front drivers side wing and suspension. The other car was a right mess front end was at least two feet shorter and the dash/steering column had encroached towrds the other driver by about six inches bruising her knees.

Really angry about that accident. Strictly speaking it was my fault as I pulled out on her, but I didn't see her coming from behind a parked car. Looked right nothing coming, looked left nothing coming pulled out and BANG. She was doing at least 40 in a 30 zone, but all the witnesses took her side. Net result, my fault. Grrrrr

Really unfortunate.

My bro in law pulled out of a junction and the other car was doing about 60-65.... same thing, his fault.

Normal insurance decision to award to the other car I think regardless of the speed of the other vehicle!

[midlife crisis]

I've driven 90,000 miles in a 2003 Avensis and never had a knock so can't comment on how it would stand up to a crash but there is an issue with too many airbags. The A pillars on the Avensis have curtain airbags in them which is good. However, to fit them in they have had to make the pillars so big you have a real blind spot when pulling out of off-set junctions or going round tight corners. I'm sure that if I hit something I'd be ok because of all the bags but it would be better to be able to see clearly and avoid the shunt in the first place. There is a corner on my way home from work that I have to look out of the side window to go round as the pillar is right in the way.