"Steve Walker" wrote in message
...
On 16/10/2011 23:05, hugh wrote:
SNIP
Yes, I believe there is a standard international bumper height set by
those well known experts in design safety- the Americans - in the late
50s. It is just below knee height thus ensuring that when a pedestrian
is hit they are flung up in the air to ensure maximum damage on the way
down.

I thought that below knee height was supposed to be good - throwing you
onto the bonnet/windscreen rather than dragging you under the car.

Below the knee is the best you can do.
Then you need energy absorption to stop you (the pedestrian) being thrown up
too high.
Then you need driver training to ensure he doesn't just pile on the brakes
and throw you off causing you even more damage when you hit the ground. This
will probably happen due to instinct anyway.

The OH's car has soft bumpers and a collapsible bonnet to help pedestrians
survive a hit.