Laboratory crash testing is a great tool to give automakers and the public an idea of how well a vehicle might protect passengers in an accident. However, there can be a huge difference in crash simulations involving dummies with sensors and real world crashes involving real world people. As you may have guessed from the headline and the smashed Smart fourtwo pictured above, we have some real world crash results to share with you.

While driving along on I-95 in Connecticut at 70 mph, a fourtwo driver who goes by the name of "evilbean42" on the Smart Car of America forum (SCOA), was on the receiving end of a bump from a car which had been bumped by a car which had veered from the exit lane into the next, somewhat occupied, lane. The momentum sent the Smart into the guard rail off of which it bounced "like a ping pong ball" and rolled three times back across the highway into the opposite guardrail whereupon it righted itself. The seat-belted evilbean42 opened the door and emerged unscathed, thanks to his Smart friend.

It seems the first thing to cross the accident victim's mind was, Oh my God! I need to get an orphan! (Orphan appears to be SCOA forum-speak for a Smart car shipped to North America whose would-be owner had a change of heart). We wish evilbean42 the best of luck in his orphan quest and thank him for demonstrating that the Smart is not only good on gas but also safe in a crash.

Changed "Four Two" to "fourtwo". Thanks "gotsmart".

[Source: SCOA] Thanks to Ryan for the tip!

If you're the first responder to a traffic accident involving a hybrid, does the fact that there are batteries on-board make it more dangerous? Missouri seems to think so and will be putting nearly 1,800 first responders through essential training during the next two months so that they will know how to deal with this potentially dangerous situation. High-voltage hybrid vehicle battery systems won't be the only technology covered by the training though, issues around undeployed airbags will also be dealt with.

Analysis: The dangers of petrol and diesel spills in vehicle crashes are pretty well known by this point, even with Hollywood's enthusiasm to blow them completely out of proportion. But if you're using the Jaws Of Life to cut a door out and the side curtain airbag deploys, that could be a big problem, likewise with on-board hybrid battery systems. Training of this type will only have to increase in the future if the use of hydrogen fuel cells and related technologies become wide spread.

Related:

• Besides having a cute keister, Prius is also safe
• DOE figures it's time to understand the dangers of hydrogen

[Source: Moberly Monitor]