When I was growing up in rural Texas, The question wasn’t whether or not you would eventually hit a deer while driving. It was like an inevitability.
This is clearly true for many Americans, who experience between 1 and 2 million crashes Every year with big animals. But unlike my coworkers in Colorado and Montana, I only have deer to worry about. They have to worry about an animal 10 times heavier: the moose. These 6-foot-tall giants can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and will completely destroy a vehicle in a head-on collision.
They pose an even greater threat in Scandinavia, where moose-car collisions cause thousands of accidents each year. That’s why Sweden-based Volvo has long investigated the intricacies of this road hazard. The brand recently sent GearJunkie footage of their current test, which shows an orange Volvo driving straight into an 800-pound, life-size moose dummy. (Spoiler: there’s a lot of broken glass.)
The brand has spent decades on dummy testing with the aim of improving the safety features of its vehicles in the event of a crash. Testing began with actual moose carcasses in the 1980s, before choosing various synthetic dummies. Volvo leaders claim this has improved safety for drivers encountering these giant beasts – and some Volvo owners have expressed their appreciation for the brand after surviving major collisions.
test for moose collision
It’s interesting to see Volvo’s crash testing up close – and I can’t even imagine watching video of early tests. A Research papers from 1989 Description of Volvo’s first test involving actual moose carcasses: “Carcass testing indicates that at such an impact the moose can be described as a sack filled primarily with water.” (Thanks, science!)
Since then, the brand moved towards synthetic mousse dummies. Both the first and second editions were created in the mid-1980s. Volvo’s testers started with a dummy made of electrical wires in bundles and a wooden beam for the spine. The second version used 20 impermeable compartments filled with high-pressure water hoses.
However, these days, they use a moose dummy constructed of 116 rubber discs attached to steel parts, weighing a total of 794 pounds. According to Volvo leaders, these tests have resulted in several specific design changes.
“The Moose crash test dummy… has helped advance the design of the structure primarily around the windshield, including the A-pillars, roof beam and windshield retention,” said Lotta Jacobsson, senior technical specialist for safety at Volvo. “These improvements contribute to the overall structural integrity of the occupant compartment. Additionally, the safety belt pretensioners activate in large-animal collisions, helping to further restrain the occupants. Together, these measures enhance occupant protection in severe large animal impacts.”
In 2016, Volvo began releasing vehicles with a feature big animal detection. This safety feature uses cameras and radar to identify large animals in the car’s path and automatically apply the brakes before impact. In recent years, various forms of automatic braking have also been incorporated by many other car brands. In fact, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration All cars and light trucks in the US will be required to include automatic braking systems by 2029.
hang up with animals
Several Volvo owners have shared photos of their vehicles that survived crashes with large animals.
Last month, a Reddit user Praised his Volvo’s automatic braking system To reduce damage to his vehicle during a collision with a deer on the highway. In an old post from 4 years ago, another user on the Volvo Reddit page shared an image of its damaged windshield after hitting a moose. According to the post, the vehicle “saved my life today”.
Another Volvo owner replied, “Congratulations on surviving the most Swedish automotive accident.”
Of course, automatic braking only helps prevent accidents with animals ahead – not with vehicles behind you. That’s what happened to my mom a few months ago when she slammed on the brakes to avoid a herd of deer that jumped onto the road in Stone Mountain, Gasa. She ended up in a three-car collision as other vehicles collided with her from behind. Thankfully, she was safe, but her old Toyota Corolla was completely destroyed.
Would the roads become safer for both humans and moose – if every vehicle could automatically hit the brakes for us? only time will tell.
