Letters to the editor Dec. 1

Crash test dummies

I am appalled but not surprised that automakers will almost certainly dismiss the federal government’s recent endorsement of more accurate crash test dummies for women. Female dummies to date have been merely smaller iterations of male dummies despite the fact that women are more likely to be injured or die in car crashes — 73% more likely to be injured than men, 17% more likely to die, in head-on collisions.

I realize more accurate crash dummies for women would likely compel carmakers to improve cars per what the newer dummies identify as flaws specifically for women.

Misogyny rules!

By the way, I’m sure there is something ironic about noting differences between male and female “dummies,” but a comment re such escapes me for now.

— Lenny Granger, Columbia Falls