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US Car Design Standards to Pedestrians: FUCK YOU! (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 4 months ago by to c/micromobility@lemmy.world
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[–] 5 points 4 months ago (3 children)

It's not even that the pillars have to be that thick. The government regulations just say "the pillar must be this strong", and the auto manufacturers figured they'd save money by making the pillars thicker so that they can use weaker material. And then wrap it in extra plastics because of "aesthetics."

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  • [–] 1 point 4 months ago

    The government regulations just say "the pillar must be this strong"

    Not really. I don't think there exists a standard that directly dictates a-pillar length. In fact, they have to hire large teams of engineers to decide how thick it must be. It's a very challenging question - one that is solved via engineering and design and cannot be solved wholesale via a blanket regulation.

    What the government does regulate is roof crushing resistance and a side-impact system that accommodates curtain airbags. The engineers have to balance these requirements with ensuring fitment for airbags, wire looms, and cushioning. The "a-pillar useless plastic aesthetics" being called out in this thread are far from useless. The a-pillar is one of the things a driver is most likely to bonk their head on. The engineers have to strategically place padding inside these pillars.

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