September 10, 1999
Web posted at: 11:49 a.m. EDT (1549 GMT)

Accident statistical studies indicate a range of 550-1,000 fatalities per year in accidents with fuel fed fires where the bodies were burnt. There has been no real determination of the percent of these people which were killed by the violence of the accidents rather than by fire. The condition of the bodies almost precludes making this determination.

-----------------------

Based on this statistic and making several assumptions, it is possible to do a value analysis of automotive fire related fatalities as they relate to General Motors.

The following assumptions can be made:

1. In G.M. automobiles there are a maximum of 500 fatalities per year in accidents with fuel fed fires where the bodies were burnt.

2. Each fatality has a value $200,000.

3. There are approximately 41,000,000 G.M. automobiles currently operating on U.S. highways.

Analyzing these figures indicates that fatalities related to accidents with fuel fed fires are costing General Motors $2.40 per automobile in current operation.

500 fatalities x $200,000 /fatality  =   $2.40/automobile
     41,000,000 automobiles

This cost will be with us until a way of preventing all crash related fuel fed fires is developed.

--------------------

If we assume that all crash related fuel fed fires can be prevented commencing with a specific model year another type analysis can be made.

Along with the assumptions numbered above the following assumptions are necessary:

1. G.M. builds approximately 5,000,000 automobiles per year.

2. Approximately 11% of the automobiles on the road are of the current model year at the end of that model year.

Value Analysis of Auto Fuel Fed Fire Related Fatalities Page 2

This analysis indicates that for G.M. it would be worth approximately $2.20 per new model auto to prevent a fuel fed fire in all accidents.

500 fatalities x 11% new model autos = 55 fatalities in new model autos

55 fatalities x $200,000/fatality = $2.20/new model auto
    5,000,000 new model autos

This analysis must be tempered with two thoughts. First, it is really impossible to put a value on human life. This analysis tried to do so in an objective manner but a human fatality is really beyond value, subjectively. Secondly, it is impossible to design an automobile where fuel fed fires can be prevented in all accidents unless the automobile has a non-flammable fuel.

(Signed)
E.C. Ivey
Advance Design

pb

6-29-73

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.