why does it seem like a driver experiences less inertia versus the passenger? I’ve driven and ridden and also it seems like passengers are more heavily affected by inertia (when breaking passengers heads go further forward)
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When you are in control your body anticipates your actions. In your example, your neck and shoulders tension to reduce movement.
Your passenger has no pre-awareness, so reacts without prevention.
As a passenger, try placing your hands and feet like you would have while being the driver. So left foot firmly in the corner, right foot trying to balance on the right side, hands on the imaginary steering wheel (maybe on the dash if you can reach.
You’ll suddenly feel much more grounded and secure, because the torque you feel is the result of the distance between the centre of gravity and the point where the force is applied.
Think about how a long lever helps you loosen a tight bolt easily, that same long lever is now between your bum and your head, so if you stick your arms and feet out, it’s MUCH easier to counteract the braking force.
Simply put, a driver is in control of a car and thus anticipates changes in motion, passengers are not aware of what the driver is planning to do or when the driver would slam the brakes. Driver anticipates, passengers don’t and are not prepared to counteract these changes.
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