Opinion ID: 2529268
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 16

Heading: Proposed Shielding Was Unworkable

Text: ¶ 72 With respect to the proposed shielding of the trunk wall advocated by Arndt, the Interceptor Trunk Pack was tested in the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and proved effective in preventing trunk contents from puncturing the trunk. Ford's expert testified that based on his testing, a Kevlar backing in the trunk might have added strength, but would not have prevented the pipe wrench from puncturing the tank in this particular accident. Additionally, he testified that there was no feasible guarding system for the rear of the tank that would have prevented the pipe wrench from penetrating the tank. A metal barrier could be designed in between the trunk wall and the tank, but would likely puncture the tank in a side-impact collision. Therefore, the design would make the overall safety worse compared to this remote event. He testified that there was no alternative feasible shield design that would have prevented this particular accident.