Nice Truck Attack 2016 The Independent, UK
Berlin Christmas Maraket Attack 2016, ABC
Melbourne Car Attack 2017.
Cars (and trucks) have been used as weapons by drivers purposefully driving into crowds including:
2014: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec
2014 : Jerusalem, Israel.
2016: Nice, France
2016: Berlin, Germany
2017: Jerusalem, Israel
2017: Melbourne, Australia.
What does the maths tell us?
Melbourne is Mathspig’s home town. The car attack killed, tragically, 6 people and injured many more. The question many seem to ask is:
Why can’t people get out of the way?
Look at the video below of the Melbourne car. It doesn’t appear to be going that fast. But the maths tells a different story. You need quite a distance between you and a car travelling at approx 60 kph to have enough time to run clear. (See calculations below)
How fast do you react?
We will set your reaction time at 0.4 sec. This allows time for you to react and turn. If you want to test your reaction time go here. But remember you have to turn as well.
How fast would you run?
According to the Telegraph, UK, the average human can run at 15.9 mph (25.6 kph) and the National Council of Strength and Fitness 15 mph (24.1kph), which Mathspig has rounded off to 25 kph.
How do you escape a car travelling at 60 kph towards you when you are less than 9 m away?
Jump upwards!
You might reduce the impact and even go over the roof.
Mathspig Blog 