We are in a decade of great technological progress, catalyzed by the development of the computer, which supplies tools unimaginable in the past that accelerate the pioneering of developments for the betterment of mankind. Giant steps have been made in curative and preventive medicine in order to eliminate or minimize human suffering. Three decades ago, man was able to go to the MOON and safely come back! Safety at work is imperative, and accident prevention in industry has become a science, which is now considered the main responsibility of management. In the field of automotive safety, remarkable developments like AIR BAGS and the ABS (anti blocking braking system) have complemented the safety provided by SAFETY BELTS. Automobiles are improving each year, in terms of comfort, aerodynamic profile (like wedges), more powerful engines, higher acceleration rates and sophisticated features, as if they were destined to run alone, without unexpected obstacles or speed limits in exclusive lanes, as in a giant "autorama."

PARADOX: During actual utilization, however, the scenario is completely different, full of dangerous situations. Among these is a dramatic situation, which has existed since the beginning of the automotive industry, in which the occupants of smaller vehicles are totally defenseless, waiting to be inexorably decapitated, killed like animals in a slaughterhouse.

This is the case of collisions of cars with the rear ends of trucks or buses, which are like hidden traps for humans if they are not equipped with reliable underride guards, installed in the correct position. In this situation, all the above mentioned developments are useless! Cars, buses and trucks are designed and built by the same manufacturers, as if they were destined to be used on different planets, that is, without any likelihood of contact.

a) THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING SOLELY DUE TO THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE GUARDS!
b) THAT THERE IS A 1968 LAW (IN BRAZIL) STATING THAT TRUCKS AND BUSES MUST HAVE REAR  UNDERRIDE GUARDS! ( EFFECTIVE ONES, OF COURSE!)
c) THAT ONLY EFFECTIVE DEVICES CAN BE CONSIDERED REAL UNDERRIDE GUARDS; OTHERWISE THE DEVICE IS JUST TRICKERY, INTENDED TO FOOL EVERYBODY. AS THE CONSEQUENCES ARE USUALLY FATAL, THIS TRICKERY IS OF COURSE CRIMINAL...
ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE ONLY EFFECTIVE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY DEVICES BEFORE BEING ALLOWED ON THE ROAD. THIS WOULD BE THE ONLY NECESSARY LAW.

All around the world many thousands of people are unnecessarily killed every year, year after year, due to collisions of light vehicles with the rear ends of trucks and buses that are not equipped with adequate rear underride guards. Most of the deaths occur due to decapitation or to serious head injuries. If someone survives this kind of collision, chances are that he or she will be handicapped for the rest of his or her life.

Many of these collisions are caused by poor rear conspicuity. About 30% of the accidents could have been avoided by bright, sparkling active and reflective lighting at the rear ends of trucks and buses. The cumulative number of families with victims from this kind of accident during the last 35 years is enormous, but is unknown to society, due to the lack of overall and analytical statistics.

Estimates based on partial data, suggest more than 15,000 fatalities per year, due only to collisions with the rear ends of trucks. This is more than the number of deaths caused by important untreatable diseases or some recent wars. The number of handicapped people from the ambulant guillotines is completely unknown. In the last 35 years, the number could have easily reached some 300,000! Who knows?

The total number of fatalities per year in the traffic war in Brazil is estimated to be between 60,000 to 80,000! Only some of the deaths, those that occur on the spot, are known. Deaths occurring afterwards at hospitals are not accounted for, due to lack of statistical controls. Light injuries that result in death due to hospital infections are also not blamed on traffic accidents. Who cares???