Mileage Standards Could Kill More Americans than Iraq War

CNSNews.com is reporting:

The Obama administration’s proposed mileage standards that will be announced today may kill more Americans at a faster rate than the Iraq War — his signature issue in the 2008 presidential campaign.

Obama’s standards will require automakers to meet a 35 miles-per-gallon standard by 2016 — four years earlier than the same standard imposed by the Energy Security and Independence Act of 2007.

As discussed in my new book “Green Hell,” the only way for carmakers to meet these standards is to make smaller, lighter and deadlier cars.

The National Academy of Sciences has linked mileage standards with about 2,000 deaths per year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that every 100-pound reduction in the weight of small cars increases annual traffic fatalities by as much as 715.

In contrast in the more than six years since the Iraq war began, there have been 4,296 deaths among American military personnel.

And what will be gained by the new mileage standards?

The Natural Resources Defense Council said that the 35 MPG standard would save about one million gallons of gas per day. So how does that savings balance against the 2,000 fatalities per year that the National Academy of Sciences says are caused by those same lighter cars?

Smart Car Hits Concrete Wall at 70 (video)

Although the smart car has a surprisingly rigid steel cage, the lack of a crumple zone transmits all the crash energy into the passengers.

Iran tests missile capable of hitting Israel or Europe (video)

Iran tested a missile capable of hitting Israel or Europe. Yahoo News reported:

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran test-fired a missile capable of striking Israel, U.S. Mideast bases and Europe on Wednesday — a show of strength touted by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as he battles for re-election next month against more moderate opponents.

The U.S. responded by saying Iran must choose between destabilizing the Middle East or accepting the dialogue offered by President Barack Obama. The U.S. leader threatened earlier this week that Iran could face further international sanctions if it does not respond positively by year-end to U.S. attempts to open negotiations on its nuclear program.

Israel said the test appeared to be Iran's response to a positive meeting on Monday between Obama and new Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran tests new missile, Israel within range(video)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country test-fired a new advanced missile Wednesday with a range capable of reaching Israel and U.S. Mideast bases. (May 20)

Government fuel efficiency standards may kill you

The Obama Administration is pushing Detroit and the American public towards smaller, more fuel efficient automobiles. This move would certainly save energy and reduce carbon emissions that "global warming theory" advocates are concerned about. A negative consequence could be more injuries and fatalities on Americas highways. One of the prime reasons Americans chose the large SUV's was their good performance in crash tests. Many of these larger vehicles were bought by families with small children. As you might have guessed, the micro cars Obama wants us to drive don't crash test very well. Details from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are here. Here is the story from Freep.com.

WASHINGTON -- Micro cars can give motorists top-notch fuel efficiency at a competitive price, but the insurance industry says they don't fare too well in collisions with larger vehicles.
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In crash test results to be released today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of 2009 versions of the Smart Fortwo, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris could face significant leg and head injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, midsize vehicles.

"There are good reasons people buy mini cars. They're more affordable, and they use less gas. But the safety trade-offs are clear from our new tests," said Adrian Lund, the institute's president.

Automakers who manufacture the small cars said the tests simulated a high-speed crash that rarely happens on the road. They also said the tests rehashed past insurance industry arguments against tougher fuel efficiency requirements.

The institute has raised questions about whether stricter gas mileage rules, which are being developed by the government, might lead to smaller, lighter vehicles that could be less safe.