As an Emergency Doctor contemplating the need for a people mover on a limited budget I am a little hesistant about purchasing a townace due to safety concerns about the lack of front crumple zone. Is anyone able to point me in the direction of some objective safety information about this otherwise fantastic people mover?

- (#8073) Adam Coulson, 16 Apr 03 1:39

I wouldn't worry too much- the Spacecruiser was an official import, and as such type- approved. If you search the web, you'll find test results in the US and Japan IIRC. The Townie, while short at the front has a massive chassis leg, and the 4x4 has an additional frame under it. They seem to do not to bad in impacts, is my observations at the breakers are anything to go by. Rollover is perhaps more of an issue.

Remember that you're sitting much higher in the townie than a "normal" car, so most collisions will be below foot level...

- (#8074) david miller, 16 Apr 03 2:00

I had Bull-Bars on my Space-Cruiser for 13 years. (I took them off and have them at home - still don't know what to do with them). The Bull-Bars are supposed to be passed as illegal soon, due to the fact that pedestrians have more injuries with these than with a bumper (if hit, that is) . Our MP, Paul Flynn, mentioned a Research showing that the Bull-Bars are not as safe as the actual bumper when in a head-on collision, as there is no cushioning on impact with Bull-Bars. Also, he says that they would probably do more damage to the front seat passengers than not having them at all.

- (#8075) Joanna, 16 Apr 03 4:52