A recent Reddit r/Toyota social media forum post shows dramatic post-crash scene images of what happened to a 2016 Toyota Corolla after being rear-ended by a Ford F-150.
A Safety Misconception
I hear this all the time:
"Wow, I bet your 1973 Ford F-100 will plow through most vehicles in a crash!"
This is a common vehicle safety misconception, which is understandable because you would expect all-steel to always persevere over what is essentially all-plastic.
My child's paternal grandfather is in his 70's. He's been working on cars all his life, although he knows he doesn't understand computers or chips, so he only works on older vehicles.
He still prefers to drive around in his boats, as he calls them. He only feels safe in cars that are made of heavy metal with no crumple zones. I tried explaining to him why they are so much safer than the older cars, but alas, I'm a mere woman. So what would I know." ―merryjoanna
However, the fact is that drivers and passengers in modern cars are significantly safer.
My old truck might look tougher, but it's like comparing a metal box to a modern safety cocoon. The modern vehicle is designed to sacrifice itself to save you—and that's what matters in a crash.
And a large part of this is due to crumple zones.
Crumple Zone Technology
Crumple Zones are specially engineered areas of a car designed to absorb and dissipate energy during a collision. They are typically located at the front and rear of the vehicle.
The purpose of Crumple Zones is to:
- Protect occupants: By deforming in a controlled way during an impact, crumple zones reduce the force transferred to the passengers.
- Absorb impact energy: They convert the kinetic energy of the crash into deformation energy, minimizing the effects on the cabin.
- Extend the time of impact: By spreading the force over a longer period, they reduce the peak force felt by occupants.
Crumple Zones are made from materials and structures that deform progressively under stress. These include specific folds, beams, or crushable materials that collapse in a predictable way.
For example, take an aluminum soft drink can and step on it from the top, down, as evenly as possible. You will note that the body of the can pancakes accordion-like. In essence, the body of the can is a type of Crumple Zone, allowing the can to be crushed predictably for efficient disposal and recycling.
The crumple zone's safety siblings are air bags and reinforced cabins. The most recent of these is attention paid to the vehicle pillars and roof design to prevent head injuries during a rollover.
Related article: The Gory Truth About Seat Belts from Consumer Reports and a Paramedic
Readers Respond to the Toyota Crash
The OP's claim that the family's Toyota saved their lives is not hyperbole. Many post readers responded similarly with their testimonies:
I think it's good to remind people that crumple zones exist because otherwise, people tend to judge cars based on "which looked worse" after the collision. I would hate for someone to see photos like OP's and be dissuaded from getting a safe Toyota due to ignorance." ―SkeletorsAlt
I completely agree; however, if I hadn't taken high school physics, then I wouldn't know what a crumple zone was either. I think knowledge around car safety should be talked about more so that everyone understands it and can make informed decisions when purchasing vehicles!" ―Any-Communication114
I had a similar accident several years ago in a Corolla… We were just plowed from the back by a massive truck with a trailer who just didn't stop. The car was completely wrecked, but all the occupants were safe!
It was my second of three accidents in a Toyota/Lexus sedan where the car was totaled (I'm just unlucky—I wasn't driving in all of them). The worst human damage in any of them was an airbag burn.
I will always buy Toyota. So glad you're okay!"! ―woahwoahwoah28
Where to Find the Safest Cars Today
For the latest up-to-date recommendations and advice on buying the safest car today, the IIHS (International Institute of Highway Safety) website is the best place to find out how a wide range of makes and models compare for overall safety and crash test results.
Old Car vs Modern Car during Crash Test / Evolution of Car Safety
For some crash test comparisons, here is an informative and morbidly entertaining video that bears special attention to face and head impacts in less safe vehicles.
Are You a Corolla Owner Who Has Walked Away From an Accident? If so let us know about it in the comments section below.
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
Image Source: Deposit Photos
