I’m all for reducing our individual carbon footprint (however that’s figured) because that’s what the experts tell us is going to help improve the environment.
But should we try some of the suggestions to achieve it, at the risk of our safety?
More and more I’m seeing “Smart Cars” and other mini vehicles on the road and they make me nervous. Having been in a serious car accident where my car was totaled, I know how little it takes to demolish a vehicle.
I was hit by a person who took her attention off the road, and rear-ended me at 40 miles per hour, while I was stopped waiting to make a turn.
My 2-door Honda Civic was a mangled mess, (except for the passenger compartment because of crumple zone technology). We all went to the hospital in ambulances. I have lingering injuries now, 13 years later.
It is so hard to think a similar impact could be survived in a Smart Car, a Mini Cooper or any of the other brands which look more like a go-cart with a great paint job and a stereo.
Is 50 miles per gallon gas mileage worth your life, if a careless driver hits you as hard as one did me?
To that end, I’m hoping fuel cell technology could be one of the answers. I recently did a story where almost a dozen major automakers rolled out their fuel cell cars to show the Technology is ready now.
BMW, Honda, VW, Hyundai, Mercedes and many other models were available for a test drive. These were all full-size cars with the safety a large roll cage provides.
The cars were quiet, powerful and seemingly safe. The bodies on the vehicles were the same ones tested over the years by the federal government to meet accepted safety standards. Many, if not all of the vehicles had side and front airbags as well. Not to mention many of the cars got close to 50 MPG.
The car makers told me, for it to be cost-effective to go into mass production of these cars, the infrastructure needs to be in place. They are now urging the federal government to help with financing new Hydrogen refueling stations across the country. 25 stations are planned for California.
If we can save the environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save lives at the same time, maybe this is something we should consider more seriously.
I welcome your opinions.
