- Bumpers
1978 Holden Kingswood Utility with “roo bar”
Specialized bumpers, also called “bull bars” or “kangaroo bars”, protect vehicles in rural environments from impacts with large animals. However, studies have shown that such bumpers increase the threat of pedestrian death and serious injury in urban environments because bumpers are rigid and transfer all of the impact force to pedestrians, rather than absorbing some of the force and deforming like bumpers do. In the European Union, rigid metal bull bars that do not meet relevant pedestrian protection safety standards have been banned from sale. - Off-road bumpers
Off-road vehicles often use modified off-road bumpers made of heavy gauge metal to increase ground clearance (height above the ground), maximize departure angle, clear larger tires and ensure additional protection. Off-road bumpers are similar or identical to bumpers, have a rigid structure, do not absorb (through plastic deformation) any energy in a collision, and are more dangerous to pedestrians than factory plastic bumpers. The legality of modified off-road bumpers varies by jurisdiction.
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August 2, 2024
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