How Do Side Impact Door Beams Work?
by Marit Anderson
When a crash results from a side impact, door beams can help protect passengers. Without door beams there is little keeping a passenger from the point of impact. As of 2010, fairly standard safety equipment allows for side impact door beams to provide a safer ride.
Side Impact Door Beams
Side impact door beams are a safety feature of modern cars designed to protect the driver and passengers. When a crash occurs, door beams work by absorbing the energy created during the collision.
Types
Side impact door beams can be made of steel or aluminum. Steel door beams result in a heavier vehicle, making for a more stable frame for the car. However, heavier cars also use more fuel to operate and are therefore being replaced by aluminum beams. Aluminum beams provide the same type of safety feature with less weight making the vehicle more fuel efficient and lightweight.
Popularity
With the increasing size and height of vehicles on the road, including SUVs and vans, side impact beams have become a more popular safety feature for cars of all sizes. The beams provide extra protection during instances when smaller cars may be struck by a larger SUV.
References
Writer Bio
Marit Anderson has been a writer since 2005. She contributes to the website BlogCritics, where she serves as a fashion critic and editor. Her work has also appeared in various other online publications. Anderson holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and in humanities, media and cultural studies from Macalester College. She is currently a Juris Doctor candidate from Case Western School of Law.
