[WCE]

Sort of.  As some of you maybe aware last night there was a bad crash on the M5 motorway close to where I live in Tewkesbury. A VW Van crashed through the central reservation and collided with an oncoming car. 3 people were killed and two  more were left with life threatening injuries. A total of 18 other people were left with minor injuries ( there was a multiple car pile up after the initial impact. The van was carrying a load of beer in barrels. If you carry your water around in containers this is likely the closest thing you will see to crash testing. Look at the pictures on the tv and papers and just look and just look at the mess and you will see the the barrels went everywhere (including into other approaching cars causing them to crash). So if you ever wondered what would happen in a high speed motorway crash take a look at the carnage and look where the barrels have ended up. You will be shocked. 

[Dean Taberner]

link?

[AuRavelling79]

Doesn't matter what you were carrying - thru central res. on a motorway the closing speed could have easily been 60/100mph. You don't walk away from that I'm afraid.

[steve m]

two things you must remember when carrying any items in the back of any van MUST be secured.

[steve m]

eeerr-- and the second one is if you are carrying weight you should always drive sower than ususal and leave a larger braking gap

[LWC]

we've all done it at end of day, everyone on here is very hot about people securing tanks down etc and yes it is important, but who lectures the people with tools, tool boxs, equipment, cement mixers etc in the back.

[steve.ternent]

  terrible business, thoughts go out to the families!

That's one reason I only ever do local work not traveling out of the town!

My Tank is secured anyway, but that's not the point.
In slow speeds not so much danger!

Must be getting old and valuing life more  :

[WCE]

we've all done it at end of day, everyone on here is very hot about people securing tanks down etc and yes it is important, but who lectures the people with tools, tool boxs, equipment, cement mixers etc in the back.

Thats my point. Everyone does and there are many other loads other than water containers that are equally dangerous. No one does lecture anyone about it. I was just saying that here is an example of what can happen.

Doesn't matter what you were carrying - thru central res. on a motorway the closing speed could have easily been 60/100mph. You don't walk away from that I'm afraid.

Maybe for the van and the car it collided with but the bit I should of mentioned was the police spokesman said in the paper that the barrels left the van like missiles and that a total of 9 cars had been damaged. Just imagine if a couple had gone through windscreens the death toll could of been much higher. Remember these were motorists not involved in the accident. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

link?

I cant post a link as it was in the local paper. I have just checked their website and the photos are not on there.  Just google m5 crash and you may be able to find the photos.

[john tomkins]

Does look terrible....

But comparing a 25ltr plastic container of pure water to a
36 gallon (162ltr) stainless steel barrel of beer is a little over the top.

[WCE]

Does look terrible....

But comparing a 25ltr plastic container of pure water to a
36 gallon (162ltr) stainless steel barrel of beer is a little over the top.

Maybe but they would both behave in a similar manner. Yes the barrels are a much greater weight and the  barrel forces greater but both would act the same. Unless someone did some thatcham testing or it actually happens i believe this is the closest you will see to crash testing for 25L containers.