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Obesity Increases Driver’s Risk Of Being In Car Accident

By zzyzzx   Follow   Wed, 8 Aug 2012, 8:14am   336 views   4 comments
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http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/08/07/study-obesity-increases-drivers-risk-of-being-in-car-accident/

Obesity Increases Driver’s Risk Of Being In Car Accident

SEATTLE (CBS Seattle) – A new study claims that obesity could not only increase a driver’s risk of being in a car accident, but also result in more severe injuries.

The study, conducted by Canadian scientists at the University of Laval and published in the Journal of Transportation Safety & Security, claimed that morbidly obese drivers may be at increased risk of a crash due to weight-related health complications.

Additionally, car designs that are less than sympathetic to larger frames could leave obese drivers in more critical condition following an accident.

“Poor car-to-person fit is thought to be the leading cause of the increased risk of injury and fatality in [car accidents] for [people] who are obese or overweight versus [people] who are normal weight,” a portion of the study published by the Ottawa Citizen read.

The study continued, “For all those individuals that have a body structure different than [the standard used in designing cars], their interactions with the safety features, such as the seat belts and airbags, may not occur as intended.”

Many cars are reportedly designed with a 163-pound person in mind.

Researchers additionally claim that carmakers should try to design vehicles whose safety features are more adjustable, in order to provide protection for a broader range of drivers.

Several previous studies were also examined in the process, including one which found that found men with body mass indexes greater than 30 were more likely to suffer facial, spinal, head and upper chest injuries in a collision than those with BMIs below 30.

Another study reportedly referenced by University of Laval’s medical researchers found that 800,000 drivers in the America with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea were involved in illness-related car accidents in the year 2000, which supported their claims that obesity-related ailments also contribute to road hazards.

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1. zzyzzx Follow Befriend (9) 410 threads 4,107 comments Baltimore, MD

   1   8:14am Wed 8 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   zzyzzx says but also result in more severe injuries. You would think that all that extra padding would reduce injuries.

2. zzyzzx Follow Befriend (9) 410 threads 4,107 comments Baltimore, MD

   2   8:47am Wed 8 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike (1)   Maybe being busy jamming their mouth full of french fries while driving has something to do with it.

3. CaptainShuddup Follow Befriend (1) 246 threads 4,655 comments

   3   8:49am Wed 8 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like   Dislike (1)   zzyzzx says A new study claims that obesity could not only increase a driver’s risk of being in a car accident, but also result in more severe injuries. That would explain the rash of Fat fucks chauffeuring around Liberal geek douches, with a clipboard and pen in the passenger seat, I've been seeing lately.

4. freak80 Follow Befriend (4) 52 threads 4,416 comments Corning, NY Premium

   4   9:30am Wed 8 Aug 2012   Share   Quote   Permalink   Like (1)   Dislike   Protected   zzyzzx says Maybe being busy jamming their mouth full of french fries while driving has something to do with it. Grease is slippry. How can you steer if the steering wheel is covered in grease?