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Peugeot has not crash-tested one of its cars for any driver weighing more than 12 stone 4lb 78 kg, inquest heard today.
Judith Evans, a Peugeot 107 driver who weighed nearly 16 stone, died in a head crash with a Vauxhall Vectra on his way to work on January 20 last year.
Asked if the car company has conducted crash tests on the Peugeot 107 model with models of more than 78 kg a Peugeot security expert said he had not.
The driver of the Vectra only suffered fractures to the ball and internal injuries, the investigation in High Wycombe trial court in Buckinghamshire heard.
But 56-year-old mother of three, Ms. Evans relations officer customer Chiltern Railways Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, injuries received by experts deemed not to be typical results usually observed in these crashes.
They found that she died in accident circumstances in which an effective restraint system - including a seat belt properly functioning air bag and seat - is designed to ensure good protection, the inquest heard.
Lawyer Robert Horner, representing the family of Mrs. Evans, security expert asked Peugeot Richard Zeitouni Have you tested with more than 78 kg models.
M. Zeitouni, giving evidence, said that Peugeot had not.
M. Horner You have not tested with a dummy weight corresponding to 50 of the male population.
M. Zeitouni When we designed this car we found it was good, adequate protection for the majority of the occupants.
The two women were driving at about 30 mph when the accident occurred, according to the Vauxhall driver.
But when their vehicles crashed into each other, Mrs Evans has not received the usual protection provided by the design of the seat, the seat belt and the airbag, the inquest heard.
She suffered multiple fractures, chest injuries and abdominal injuries.
M. Horner suggested that any consumer weighing over 12 stone buying a car can be a bit surprised that Peugeot has not tested for heavier than their weight.
But M. Zeitouni said an investigation into the accident said Ms. Evans sat forward in his seat as normally the case.
It would have been very close to the steering wheel when the airbag inflated, he said.
M. Horner argued that she was sitting in a suitable position, with his back against the seat back and she did not even have the seat as far as it would go.
He said My criticism of the car is, therefore, if you are sitting in a seat adjusted properly with the back against the top of the seat, the design is such that you can collide with the wheel before the airbag is inflated.
Yesterday inquest heard security vehicles Consultancy Ltd VSC, who was asked by Thames Valley Police to consider the protection offered to Mrs Evans in the collision on Coldharbour Road, Aylesbury, having noticed his injuries appeared particularly severe for strength the impact.
Peter Gloyns, a mechanical engineer at VSC, said the car's restraint system does not seem to have worked in the way it is supposed to.
He said the accident raises a serious question about the stability of the response of the total restraint system for an occupant of that building and weight in a crash of this severity in which it is to hope that the right protection could be offered.
Dr. Gloyns suggested improvements may be necessary to ensure that the most important drivers were the same protection than thinner.
William Barrister Vandyke, Peugeot representative stressed that Vauxhall was heavier than the Peugeot and suggested that a hard part of the Vauxhall hit a soft part of the Peugeot, causing greater crushing of the Peugeot.
Car safety features are also compliant with European regulations, Peugeot claimed.
The inquiry also heard that Ms Evans, normally a safe driver, was traveling on the wrong side of the road and perhaps the victim of a medical accident before the collision.
A Peugeot spokesman said the company had no comment to make at this stage.
Peugeot has no crash test for heavier drivers The Independent, Peugeot, accident trial.