Another sad road incident where a van driver and his wife were among the three who lost their life in an accident involving three vehicles at Kilometer 212 Jalan Johor Bahru–Seremban near the intersection of Taman Golden Hill, Gemas Barahi in Segamat yesterday.
The accident around 3.45 pm yesterday afternoon and it involved a van (pictured below), a truck trailer and cargo lorry each which resulted in two more serious injuries.
In an accident involving an old, rusted van (see picture above), the primary concerns revolve around severely compromised structural integrity and heightened legal or insurance complications. Rust acts as “auto cancer,” eroding the metal frames that are supposed to absorb and redistribute impact forces.
A rusted chassis may not bend or crumple as designed; instead, it can snap or shatter upon impact, leading to a total collapse of the passenger cabin.
Meanwhile, studies have shown that even moderate rust can lower a vehicle’s safety rating (e.g., from a 4-star to a 3-star), increasing the risk of fatality in a real-world crash by up to 20%.
Also, severely rusted floors or door latches can fail, leading to occupants being thrown from the vehicle.
Must also note that corrosion often masks failing brake lines or steering components, which can be the direct cause of the accident itself.
