2007 Ford Fusion vs American Buffalos (U.S)

In order to create some buzz, Ford USA posted this story on their media site. Ford released this image along with the story the owner of the '07 Fusion sedan, 51 year old Maureen Edgerton from Montana, who had an unfortunate encounter with a heard of buffalo near Yellowstone Park as she was driving home on 11th April 2009.

According to Ford, the 55mph impact killed several of the migrating "American buffalo" on a snowbound motorway, but Edgerton managed to leave the scene with only minor scrapes and bruises.

"While Ford Motor Company does not have specific requirements to protect customers in collisions with bison or other animals, all of the company's vehicles are designed and tested to meet rigorous crash safety requirements," said Ford in a statement released to the press.
"These requirements help protect occupants in all sorts of collisions, even with bison, which can grow to more than 6 feet tall, 11 feet long and weight more than 2,200 pounds."

Edgerton said: "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 and the tyres weren't 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."

London air kills 3,000 people annually (UK)

Satellite low emission zones are needed in London to reduce an estimated 3,000 pollution-related deaths in the capital each year, a London Assembly report has warned. The study has called for a number of urgent measures to improve air quality and says emissions - mainly from diesel engines - are contributing to a wide range of health problems.

Government figures estimate pollution-related health costs for the UK have reached £20 billion a year. The Assembly Environment Committee now wants London mayor Boris Johnson to look into using biofuel for all public transport and reduce bus emissions by 90%.

It also wants targeted low emission zones and electronic information panels in public areas that will relay real time pollution levels. The report also said the mayor should also look at more ways to get people out of their cars and onto bicycles in and around the capital.

Darren Johnson, Chair of the Environment Committee said: “London’s air pollution is a serious problem now and for future generations. Reducing air pollution is not just about improving the environment in some abstract way. Our report shows that it’s about saving lives.”