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EDUCATION AND DEBATE: J R Crandall, K S Bhalla, and N J Madeley Designing road vehicles for pedestrian protection BMJ 2002; 324: 1145-1148 [Full text]

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Bull and the bull bar.

Roger K.A. Allen   (11 May 2002)

Bull and the bull bar. 11 May 2002
Roger K.A. Allen, Consultant Thoracic and Sleep Physician, Private Practice St Adrew's Place, 33 North Streer, Spring Hill, Brisbane, Qld, 4000, Australia Send response to journal: Re: Bull and the bull bar.	Australian road safety engineers have proudly pioneered the ideal vehicle designed for maximum cult appeal in our outdoor, anti-intellectual culture; the high-riding four wheel drive vehicle(4WD)with bull bars (dare I mention a brand).The bull bar is a shiny stainless-steel device located on the killing end of the car or truck and was originally designed for huge interstate trucks to make mince meat of kangaroos, bulls, wild pigs and buffalo who happen onto the road. This macho invention has been adopted by our middle class as an essential accoutrement for the spotless four wheel drive which rarely goes off the bitumen (except to be hosed down on the front lawn) or has ever seen a kangaroo. The ull bar and 4WD combo are ideally designed to deliver extra-killing power and collateral dammage to any unfortunate child (or adult) who impacts on the vehicle, usually driven by preoccuped women,sunglasses on head, mobile phone in ear, at school pick-up time. The height of the suburban vehicle makes it less likely the victim will be thrown over the bonnet but will be splattered on the front like an insect on a car radiator. The advantage of this aussi-made human cow-catcher is that it protects the car bonnet from deformtion in an collision with any pedestrian (two or four footed) of any species.Body, blood, brains and gore can be easily hosed off after without affecting the immaculate paint work. Unfortunately the four wheel drive is not designed to crumple progressively in a collision like a sedan and the bull bar connected to the chasis pushes up under it, hence deforming the car's under surface. Australian engineers are working on improving the bull bar further to make it more lethal but the patents are still pending. In most instances the bull bar and the four wheel drive is the product of thoughtless pretentious advertising 'bull' so prevalent in our affluent society. Any suggestions for further improvements please write to the Federal Bureau of Bull Bars and 4WD, Canberra.