The score is bison 7 and Fusion 0 as a Montana driver unexpectedly encounters a herd of bison on a snowbound highway.
Vehicle safety systems
Here at LotPro.com, we pretty much take for granted the various safety features that have become commonplace on most modern vehicles. When it comes time to describe the new models, our eyes begin to glaze over when we reach the “safety” portion of the specifications page. Such things as crush zones, safety cage construction, multiple airbags, electronic brake distribution and even (lately) ABS, or anti-lock brake systems, are so commonplace that we give them very little thought. That is, until we find ourselves in a situation on the road that we are totally unprepared for.
I found myself in just such a predicament this past winter when I was traveling on the expressway during the morning after a snowstorm and was overtaken by a Chevrolet Cobalt just as the road took a moderate rise in anticipation of a sweeping right turn. The driver of the Cobalt blew past and darted into the lane in front of me. Just then, the Chevy hit a patch of black ice and began to rotate in a clockwise direction barely 2 car lengths in front of me. After a revolution and a half, it came to rest in a snow bank on the right shoulder – clear of my lane, but with only a few yards to spare between it and my vehicle. It was a total surprise and I hardly had time to react.
The same kind of situation was encountered by Maureen Edgeton of Yellowstone, Montana just a couple of weeks ago. And although she wasn’t as fortunate as I was, she was still able to walk away to tell about it.
Movin’ to Montana
According to the press release from Ford, here is the background:
Maureen Edgerton, 51, of West Yellowstone, Mt., was driving home on the dark night of April 11, when she unexpectedly slammed her 2007 Ford Fusion into a herd of bison. The 55-mile-per-hour impact totaled the car and killed several of the migrating “American buffalo” on the snowbound highway. Edgerton, however, walked away with only minor scrapes and bruises. Impressed by the Fusion’s crash protection, safety features and fuel efficiency, Edgerton has picked the new 2010 Ford Fusion to be her next new vehicle.
Here’s what Maureen had to say:
“The crash was like a war scene. By the time it was over the hood was smashed in, the mirrors were ripped from the doors and the windshield was shattered, but the interior of the car wasn’t affected whatsoever. And the car was still running and not leaking fluid. Not even the tires were deflated. Everyone who came to the scene asked ‘what kind of car is this?’ because they couldn’t believe it was possible to walk away from such a crash.”
The crash
According to a story in the West Yellowstone News, Ms. Edgerton had set the cruise control at 55, the posted speed limit. (The usual speed limit is higher, but at this time of year the Montana DOT reduces it due to the annual migration of American Buffalo from their winter habitat in Horse Butte to their summer “residence” in Yellowstone.) An oncoming trucker flashed his lights (perhaps in warning) and she looked down to check to see if her high beams were on. This slight glance was all it took and, almost immediately, the Edgerton Fusion slammed into the heard of bison (maximum size: 6 feet tall, 11 feet long and a mass of upwards of 2,200 pounds).
The epilogue
While Maureen was able to walk away, the same can’t be said for either the Fusion or a number of bison. The Ford, having done its job, was declared a total wreck, while 7 bison eventually paid the ultimate price for this chance encounter.
So what do we learn from this? Well, for one thing, the automobiles of today are absolutely the safest in history. For another, if you find yourself driving through Montana this time of year, keep a wary eye out for bison – they’re much larger than they appear to be on a nickel!
Tags: abs, american buffalo, bison, Chevrolet, chevrolet cobalt, chevy, fusion, vehicle safety, yellowstone, yellowstone montana
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