[Phys-L] Re: collision question

[Rick Tarara <rtarara@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "rlamont" <rlamont@POSTOFFICE.PROVIDENCE.EDU>
> Of course, it's more damaging to the ego to hit a big stationary
> wall than to have someone else hit you head on.
>
> Bob at PC

However, if reports from our local area can be taken as statistically
significant, there seem to be more fatal crashes involving the first
(actually trees) than the latter.  I would attribute this to the fact that
when faced with an imminent collision between vehicles, there are TWO
chances that someone will take corrective action, whereas the wall (or tree)
is somewhat limited in what it can do to avoid you.  ;-)

Rick

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Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana
rtarara@saintmarys.edu
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