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Mini Van Driving Moms and Dads everywhere beware!

The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just released their safety crash test findings and only one of four mini van style vehicles performed in what the IIHS considers acceptable and that vehicle is the 2015 Toyota Sienna.

The crash testing primarily involved what are called “small overlap front crashes” where the vichle is propelled and crashed into a wall that only covers approximately half the width of the vehicle and typically and shows some of the worst possible outcomes for this type of crash. This type of test is intended to duplicate what happens when the front corner of one vehicle collides with another vehicle or a stationery object like a tree or utility pole. More specifically the crash forces bypass the vehicle’s main energy-absorbing structure. These crashes are considered specifically difficult for minivans to handle, because minivan bodies are typically built on car frames but are much wider than car bodies. Resulting in more of the mini van body is located outside the main structure. Minivans also are heavier than cars.

The Nissan Quest, the Chrysler Town & Country and its twin, the Dodge Grand Caravan, all earn poor ratings. The exception to the disappointing pattern is the 2015 Toyota Sienna, which earns an acceptable rating. It joins the Honda Odyssey, which last year earned a good rating in the small overlap crash test, in the ranks of Top Safety Pick+ award winners. Minivans are popular among parents, a group that tends to be safety conscious, but we’ve only seen two so far that offer decent protection in small overlap crashes,” says David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer.

So the IIHS is intentionally putting these vehicles in a worse case scenario to obtain the most prudent crash test data and this is especially important information for Moms and Dads who transport children and loved ones in  mini vans.

Even though Toyota beefed up the front structure of the 2015 Toyota Sienna to improve it’s performance in these over lap type crashes that happen in every day life as well as on the IIHS test tracks, check out what happened in the test because it didn’t really fare all that well.

• Front end intrusion (how far the dashboard and components moved in) measured as much as 5½ inches at the upper door hinge pillar and instrument panel.
• The crash dummy’s head bounced off the front airbag & immediately slid off the left side thankfully the side curtain airbag deployed and was able to protect the dummies head from the forward movement of the vehicle caused by the intrusion as mentioned above.
• The safety belt also allowed the dummy to move too far forward so add this forward movement to the 5.5 inches of dashboard intrusion and the numbers are staggering.

• On the positive side, data taken from the dummy indicated that the risk of any injuries would be low in a crash of this severity.

However the Nissan Quest didn’t do so well.

The Nissan Quest receives what the IIHS describes as a deceiving for it’s restraints and kinematics of safety belt structures. This part of the safety rating measures how well the safety belt and airbags work to control the dummy’s movement.

Here are the good and bad for the Quest:

• PRO: The crash dummy was held in place by the intruding structure, and the airbag was shoved into its face therefore keeping head injury at low risk.
• CON: The crash dummy’s left leg, from the thigh to the foot, damages were very high, in some cases exceeding the limits of the sensors.
• CON: These poor ratings are attached to model years 20011-2015

Here are the bad and good for the Chrysler Town & Country:

• The Town & Country’s structure buckled around the crash dummy.
• Vehicle Intrusion a whopping 15 inches at the lower hinge pillar and dashboard.
• The crash dummy’s skin on the left lower leg was lacerated by the parking brake pedal.
• The left knee skin was torn by a steel brace under the instrument panel.
• The head barely contacted the front airbag then shanked off  hitting the dashboard and the steering column was forcefully moved to the right.
• The door sill and the steering column both moved in toward the driver. (The side  airbag deployed but provided insufficient forward protection.
• Crash dummy measurement  indicated injuries to left thigh, left hip, left knee and left lower leg would be inherent in a crash of this severity.
• Both Town & Country & Quest showed crash dummy measurement some of the forces  off the chart.
• Results apply to the 2008-15 Town & Country and the 2008-15 Grand Caravan. ( also apply, the 2009-12 Volkswagen Routan.)

I don’t see very much good in these test results. Except more than likely there would be little head trauma however it is apparent that there would be  severe lacerations, possible fracture of the femur and or the Tibia (Thigh and Leg) and in all probability loss of limb for Nissan Quest and Chrysler’s Town & Country.

Vehicles with a good or acceptable small overlap rating, along with good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, qualify for the 2014 Top Safety Pick award. Vehicles that meet those criteria and also earn a basic or higher rating for front crash prevention qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ award.

The Sienna earns its “plus” on the basis of an advanced front crash prevention rating. Its optional system includes forward collision warning and an automatic braking function that reduced impact speeds by an average of 9 mph in the Institute’s 12 mph test and by 7 mph in the 25 mph test.

In my opinion these crash tests should be critical in decision making when purchasing a mini van type motor vehicle. Remember you can replace your vehicle but you can’t replace your children and loved ones. How much is the cost difference worth for the safety of your loved one’s, especially in Phoenix traffic.

Video created by Sophia Montemayor economics class for Dr. Castillo at Incarnate Word /St. Anthony High School

Texting While Driving IS Contributing To Thousands Of Crash Deaths.

Ample attention has been attached to drunk driving over the last several decades– and rightly so. It’s one of the leading causes of death and injury on PHOENIX roads, and even today is far too common. But a rising problem deserves a closer look as well – texting while driving. There has been an ever increasing  focus on this problem in recent years as the number of accidents related to TEXTING OR DISTRACTED DRIVING  increases at an alarming rate.

Texting has led to numerous traffic accidents, numerous serious injuries, and scores of fatalities and is now touted as being as dangerous as drunk driving.

• 3,328 people were killed in 2012 as a result of distracted driving (Texting was the highest category).

• Distracted driving was a factor in 10 percent of all fatal crashes in the country, and 17 percent of all crashes that resulted in injuries.Texting is now considered 26% of accidents today.

• Approximately 421,000 people are injured in an accident caused by distracted driving each year.

• 10 percent of drivers under the age of 20 who are involved in fatal accidents are distracted during the accident.(Hey the video quotes 26%)

• 27 percent of distracted drivers who are involved in fatal auto accidents are in their 20s.

• Texting while driving multiplies an accident 23 times more likely.

Those are huge numbers, and depicts just how serious this problem really is. In fact, it’s so serious that several states it is illegal for anyone operating a motor vehicle to text while driving. Most motorists in Arizona text while driving. DO You Text and Drive? And when you factor in that today’s smartphones make it easy to send and receive emails while driving, distracted driving becomes even more serious of a problem.

So what should you do if you’re involved in an accident that you believe was related to the other party texting? In reality, it’s often very difficult to prove that texting was a factor. Only in a few cases have attorneys been able to access mobile phone accounts of drivers, and it’s not something that motorists will usually give up willingly.

Instead, most attorneys will take a look at other factors that the texting led to. Things like unsafe speeds, failure to obey signage or traffic signals, crossing the center line, and other similar issues are normally linked to texting while driving and will be enough in many instances to show that the driver was negligent or reckless in their operation of the motor vehicle. It’s time to stop texting and driving. Protect your children and have watch this video. Protect your spuse and have them watch this video. Protect your family and have them watch this video. Have a family vote and vote never to text and drive ever.

Who else wants to know what you should do following a car accident in Phoenix Arizona

A few important facts from the video:

40% of whiplash patient’s continued to suffer with chronic ongoing pain.

Scar tissue starting to form within 3 days following an accident.

Without proper treatment you could develop arthritis following a car accident.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association the best treatment for whiplash his mobilization and manipulative therapy.

Whiplash is real and is not something just made up by chiropractors and attorneys and you should know whiplash is a serious problem.

Whiplash symptoms can remain hidden for several days months and then show up years later.

Many whiplash victims in Phoenix Arizona have improved significantly with chiropractic care even though they didn’t respond to medication and physical therapy.

The cost of chiropractic treatment following a car accidentis usually covered by a combination of car insuranceand health insurance.

We do not need to have an attorney in order to seek treatment with your chiropractor, however it is wise to hire an attorney so that they can assist you in the ups and downs of the legalities involved with a car accident.

See more car accident videos here

Car Accidents as well as motorcycle accidents in Phoenix and Scottsdale are very dangerous. The confusion that takes place immediately following an accident can impair anyone’s common snse of judgement. Most people are worried about who caused the accident, who is hurt, what damage did my car suffer and many times car accident victims do not seek proper care following a car accident.

Please be aware that you should seek the care of a medical doctor either at the emergency room or your private medical doctor. Once you know you have no life threatening injuries you should then seek the care of a health care professional who is well versed in spinal mobilization and manipulation of the spine. Phoenix Chiropractor Dr John Quackenbush has over 30 years of clinical experience with these types of whiplash accidents. Dr Quackenbush agrees that you do not need to have an attorney to start your treatment but recommends that you be legally represented as soon as possible. If you have been involved in a car accident you should have an examination to determine if in fact you have underlying injuries that if left untreated will only get worse with time. Also be aware that usually the third and/or the fourth day following an accident are when symptoms will typically get worse and them seem to decrease over the next 3-4 weeks and this maybe accepted by most car accident victimms that they have healed and that can be dangerous as the underlying injuries may never be treated until it is too late.

Phoenix Frozen ShoulderPhoenix Frozen Shoulder Goes Away After MUA.

Do you have a Frozen Shoulder or chronic shoulder pain? Manipulation Under Anesthesia is a viable treatment option that can break up fibrotic scar tissue that forms in chronic joint problems such as frozen shoulder. Phoenix Chiropractor John Q Quackenbush DC MUAC. When injury occurs whether from a very traumatic injury or repetitive minor or micro traumas the body lays down a network of fibrotic scar tissues in an attempt to buttress up or strengthen the tissues of the affected area. This fibrotic tissue is like IVY growing throughout the tissues until it takes over the bio mechanical function of the surrounding tissues such as muscle tissue, tendon and ligament tissues. This process if not stopped will continue until the joint of the affected area looses it’s ability to function properly and can even become a “Frozen Shoulder”. This Phoenix Manipulation Under Anesthesia treatment is also a viable option for rotator cuff syndrome, carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and chronic pain of the neck, lower back, and pelvis.

Click the video above and listen to what this patient has to say about relieving her Fibromyalgia pain.

Phoenix Manipulation Under Anesthesia, John Q Quackenbush DC, MUA, MUAC Listen to how this 65 year old responded to manipulation Under Anesthesia. She went from doing nothing to going to dance class 55 minutes 3 times a week and has no more back pain. She was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by the Phoenix chapter of the Mayo Clinic!! She was in such pain she was fighting off suicidal thoughts…now she is dancing to the music of life.  Call now 602-449-9430 for our 3 days to chronic pain relief. www.phoenixchiropractor4.me