Crash test dummies getting obese
 

Next-generation crash dummies weigh 273 POUNDS to reflect Americans have got fatter | Daily Mail Online

The study, which analyzed data from more than 150,000 car crashes in the U.S. between 2000 to 2005, found that moderately obese drivers faced a 21 percent increased risk of death, and morbidly obese drivers faced a 56 percent increased risk of death.

The new super-sized dummies are based on the measurements of a 273-pound person with a BMI of 35.

Sad that we've gotten to this point. I work in EMS (aeromedical), seems most of the patients that get loaded onto the stretcher are usually well over 240+. It is so nice - and unusual - to load an FAA standard weight human (170 lbs) or less.

That's very distressing and a sad commentary. I believe it though. When I was working, I used to see statistics on women on welfare. Lots of them 5'2" to 5'4" and in the mid 200's. I'm lucky to have been reasonably trim, and would be very displeased if I was overweight. I suppose lots of people see that as the new norm, but I'd do something to loose weight if it were me. Easy to see how the Defense Department is concerned about it being a national security issue.

Does that mean that crash protection systems will pose more of a risk to those of us who weigh closer to what we should?