Awareness around the subject of child restraint in cars has improved enormously over recent decades. But although the safety standards themselves are now very high, there is still too little being done to educate the public. This means that consumers rarely have enough knowledge or clarity to properly navigate the dizzying array of products on offer. Baloise joined forces with Dynamic Test Center AG (DTC AG), the city of Basel’s traffic police and the retailer baby-walz to carry out a crash test featuring various methods of restraint.
Motorhomes have grown in popularity in recent years, as the high degree of flexibility and independence they offer is ideal for staycations or tours across Europe. But they can be a heavyweight on the road, especially if they have been overloaded or loaded unsafely. Working with Dynamic Test Center AG, the police service of the Canton of Basel-City and the MyCamper motorhome hire platform, Baloise conducted crash tests that reveal the potential dangers of motorhomes.
In recent times, e-bikes and e-scooters have become an increasingly common feature of the urban landscape. Often, the technology is subsequently modified in order to allow the vehicles to travel at faster speeds than the statutory maximum. At the same time, there is no legal requirement to wear a helmet when using a light motor-assisted bike with a maximum permitted speed of 20 km/h. But how does the outcome of an accident change if a cyclist riding a light motor-assisted bike with a tuned motor travels at a speed above the statutory limit and becomes involved in an accident? What protection can a helmet offer in such a scenario?
Bicycles fitted with an electric motor have become increasingly popular in recent years, and the coronavirus pandemic has boosted demand even more. Firstly, electric bikes offer a practical alternative to public transport. Secondly, Switzerland has seen a significant change in how people spend their leisure time and holidays: The Swiss have fallen back in love with spending time in the great outdoors. But how safe are electric bikes, and what might happen in the event of an accident?
Electric scooters have been a common sight on our streets for a few years now. As a quick way to get from A to B, they are an increasingly popular choice for completing the ‘final mile’ in urban areas. Beyond the practical benefits, however, they have also garnered criticism for their riders’ behaviour – and the resulting accidents and conflicts. Equally popular are the practical electric cargo bikes, which allow you to transport larger loads or carry children. But how safe are they, and what might happen in the event of an accident?
Statistics show that the number of fatalities in accidents involving freight transport vehicles in Switzerland remains at a stubbornly high level. Various measures have proved successful, but each year there are still far too many fatalities. Emergency braking systems are one way to reduce the number of accidents. To analyse the potential of the technology, Baloise teamed up with the Dynamic Test Center (DTC), Mercedes-Benz Trucks Switzerland, Routiers suisses and the Association suisse des transports routiers (ASTAG) to conduct truck crash tests in a range of conditions.
In a simulated car accident, Baloise, in cooperation with the Dynamic Test Center, the Swiss Fire Brigade Association (SFV) and Auto Strassenhilfe Schweiz (ASS), demonstrated the consequences of an electric car accident. Particularly in the rescue chain, the procedure of the forces called in for accidents with electric vehicles differs from vehicles with petrol or diesel engines.