Tesla head on collision with a Honda

[Rodolfo Paiz]

Let me focus in on the key point of my theory. [...]

Not just for vin5xxx but for everyone else who's convinced they've figured the whole thing out:

They key point of your theory is precisely that: it's a theory. We all have only second- or third-hand reporting of the facts and the statements, so any theory may be totally correct or fatally flawed while still fitting the available pieces of (good and/or bad) data.

Before you make very strong statements, remember the old saying: "Logic is a systematic method of arriving at the wrong conclusion... but with confidence."

- - - Updated - - -

Source: common sense.

Un. Believable.

 

[jerry33]

The key point of your theory is precisely that: it's a theory.

Because we are talking physics here and trying to be semi-scientific about it, it's a hypothesis, not a theory.

 

[stopcrazypp]

Using the word "physics" doesn't mean that you then get to ignore actual physics. So lets start with the physics of the impact. The photographs, while not conclusive, are in fact quite consistent with an impact speed of ~80mph. A combined speed of 80mph anyways (each car traveling @ ~40mph).

Good point here. Ignoring all the guessing about the other parts, the results of the collision does not seem like a 40mph vs 80mph collision, but does look a lot like 40mph vs 40mph offset collision.

 

[portia]

It's nice to see that so many people stopped and helped...

the video looks like it's from China, not Russia, the driver was speaking Chinese, and the scenery looks like it too.

 

[Kaivball]

the video looks like it's from China, not Russia, the driver was speaking Chinese, and the scenery looks like it too.

Having been to China on a regular basis that explains it. People don't stop for accidents.

 

[Doug_G]

Having been to China on a regular basis that explains it. People don't stop for accidents.

Years ago I was in Beijing, and witnessed a minor bicycle/car collision. The accident scene was immediately swarmed by bicycles, who just stood there to make sure that the car couldn't leave before the authorities arrived.

Has that changed?

 

[Kaivball]

Years ago I was in Beijing, and witnessed a minor bicycle/car collision. The accident scene was immediately swarmed by bicycles, who just stood there to make sure that the car couldn't leave before the authorities arrived.

Has that changed?

In 15 years I have yet to ever see a vehicle stop and render assistance.

I think what you witnessed we're the bicycle guys sticking together. Of course today, there are far, far fewer bicycles on the road than in the past.

When I asked my driver why people don't help he explained that it is more expensive to care for an injured person then to pay for a dead person and that the first person to actively assist has some form of liability.

I don't know how true that is but there is clearly no requirement or personal responsibility to provide first aid.

You can see in the picture how the cars just continue driving past the accident seen.

 

[markwj]

Years ago I was in Beijing, and witnessed a minor bicycle/car collision. The accident scene was immediately swarmed by bicycles, who just stood there to make sure that the car couldn't leave before the authorities arrived.

Has that changed?

Still the same. Common for driver to make a run for it.

 

[jcadman22]

The Euro crash video is posted on a Danish web site, note the .dk TLD.

 

[stopcrazypp]

When I asked my driver why people don't help he explained that it is more expensive to care for an injured person then to pay for a dead person and that the first person to actively assist has some form of liability.

This is exactly it. I think I've seen in the news that there's been a spate of high profile cases where good
samaritans are sued. So basically in China, unless the person has the medical knowledge to help, they usually opt to walk by because of the risk of being sued if you injure the person further. China needs to have good samaritan laws like in the US before people are going to be willing to help.

Here's a recent article about it:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-...ritan-case-gets-a-new-ending-adam-minter.html

 

[Sancann]

It appears the family for the driver has already retained an attorney. The law firm is conducting their own investigation as well.

Here is the link: Services Held for Victims of Canyon Collision | Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper, The - Laguna Beach News

 

[stealthnhawk]

Not sure if someone brought this up already... Is it possible to look at the tesla data log to see speed/acceleration/etc to check if he was racing?

 

[Doug_G]

Yes, I'm certain it is. The Roadster records speed, torque, pedal position, and battery pack voltage and current once a second while driving. Various members of this community have devised ways to read and interpret that data.

Model S almost certainly records the same information, perhaps even more. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way for us to access it, but I'm sure Tesla can.

 

[DFibRL8R]

According to this article:

Crash Inquiry Focuses on Tesla’s Black Box | Laguna Beach Independent Newspaper, The - Laguna Beach News

the police have issued a search warrant for the Tesla data at the time of the crash.

 

[kinddog]

the police have issued a search warrant for the Tesla data at the time of the crash.

Tesla better not release them sh*ts.

I'll be selling my car if they do. that ain't cool in no kinda way...

 

[Lightning Jeff]

Warrant = not voluntary. They will likely have no choice.

 

[dsm363]

Tesla better not release them sh*ts.

I'll be selling my car if they do. that ain't cool in no kinda way...

This is nothing new. In many cars already actually and likely soon to be mandatory. Tesla wouldn't give any information over unless forced to do so like any other manufacturer I bet.
Feds Set To Mandate "Black Box" Data Recorders In Every Car And Truck

Auto Black Boxes in Every Vehicle by 2014 - YouTube

 

[Todd Burch]

Tesla better not release them sh*ts.

I'll be selling my car if they do. that ain't cool in no kinda way...

Yep. The Model S is nowhere near the only car that records this info. For example, it was used in the Toyota "runaway engine" cases.

And as dsm363 said, all cars will have them soon.

 

[kinddog]

Yep. The Model S is nowhere near the only car that records this info. For example, it was used in the Toyota "runaway engine" cases.

And as dsm363 said, all cars will have them soon.

then i will walk.

don't tread on me, yo...

 

[fluxemag]

Yep, the data was already being recorded on the last three cars I've owned. My old Toyota said specifically in the manual that black box data could be used by Toyota to defend themselves.

Toyota to Provide "Black Box" Readers - CBS News