Oh, and like DBK said a car with a cage is a lot more dangerous than one without, but wait, what does NHRA or SCCA say about that?
Nowhere did I say it's more dangerous with than without.
There's no question it's safer if you're going to race the car when properly equipped. There's also no question it's more dangerous when not properly equipped.
The SCCA forums have discussed this many times before, and when discussing street cars with cages the following are direct quotes:
"The biggest concern for me is personal safety while on the street. A roll cage is far more dangerous when not used in conjunction with a helmet. Your un-helmeted head will crack like a raw egg if it comes into contact with a roll cage in an accident."
"Also, considering that a full cage makes a street-driven car significantly more dangerous on the street"
"In my opinion, from what I have seen, a full cage makes a street car much more dangerous during what it is normally used for ... street driving."
"First of all, a street driven car is VERY dangerous with a cage and maybe a roll bar. Without a helmet and shoulder harnesses, I wonder how you would prevent head to bar contact in a street accident."
"Why are you so quick to ignore their safety while driving their car on the street? Are you willing to accept the responsibilty if they die in an accident on the street because their unhelmeted head came into contact with a roll cage that you mandated they put in their street car? What will that do to SCCA's insurance, when they get sued for knowingly putting their members at risk who drive their cars on both the street and track? "
This was to address the popularity of cages in Sport Compact Car:
"Myth #10: Roll cages make your street car safer.
The Truth:This statement is only true if you are in a collision while wearing a helment. In reality, welding or bolting in a multi-point cage is one of the most dangerous things you can do to your street car. Even if scrpulously designed and wickedly fabricated, cages are meant for race cars and drivers wearing helments. Sure, a cage can dramatically improve chassis ridgity, but this huge increase also means that energy that was supposed to be absorbed by crumble zones can now be directly transmitted to your body. In a high-impact collision, that sweet 4130 chromoly tubing can crack open your unprotected head like a watermelon.
The Fix:
Padding a rollcage can lessen the potential for injury, but unless you are willing to wear a helment and 5-point harness to the grocery store, you're better off without one in your street car. -EL"
People should
definitely be armed with that information before they ever make such a decision.
