Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) conducted a frontal collision test on an old Proton Saga model at its Provisional Crash Safety Engineering Unit (Crase) Crash Centre or PC3 in Malacca on Friday.
It was witnessed by a group of delegates from Road Safety Department
including its director-general Datuk Dr Tam Weng Wah as well as Miros DG
Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon.
The Proton Saga sedan manufactured in 1990 crashed on the driver's side into the stationary aluminium honeycomb at approximately 64 km/h upon impact with three dummies inside the vehicle – two adults (driver and front passenger) and a three-year-old toddler unrestrained (without seat belt).
Miros crase unit personnel have been preparing meticulously overnight for the car and three dummies, to ensure the impact would provide maximum data and meet the world class standard in car crash test.
CBT understands that such test was performed specifically to drive home a point that old vehicles are not safe to be on the road.
It is also learned that Friday’s test was conducted in line with the
proposed End of Life vehicle policy which is purported to be part of the
New Automotive Policy set to be announced on January 15.
However, it remains unclear at this point if Miros would provide a
safety star rating for the old Saga model as a result of the crash test.
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(Pic credit: Mael Roslan/Miros)
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Bernama had reported that vehicles older than 12 years are not safe to be on the road, quoting Miros chief.
"There is a higher risk of death in an accident because such car
could be faulty without the driver being aware of it. Most cars are
designed or manufactured to function optimally for five to 12 years.
Many owners are unaware that after this time-frame, automobile are
exposed to mechanical risks," said Dr Wong on Friday.
He stated that life span of a car was determined by a number of
factors including its design, how it was driven and history of
maintenance by the owner/s.
Dr Wong added that new cars are more capable to provide with the
latest safety technology as manufacturers have given more priority to
safety.
“Nowadays, new cars are designed to absorb collision or impact and
reduce the risk of death. Some of the new models are also equipped with a
minimum of two airbags and several other safety features,” he said.
