The "Moose
Test"
A moose test is a type of vehicle safety test designed
to simulate the effect of a collision with an animal. The moose
test originates in Scandinavia, where large ungulates, or hoofed
mammals, often roam the road, posing a serious hazard to motorists.
Not all car companies use moose testing, although many Northern
European car companies including Saab and Volvo do. Some companies
refer to the test as an elk test, due to the greater frequency
of elk in the region.
Collision with a large animal can cause serious damage
to a car and its occupants. Especially if the animal has horns
which penetrate the windshield, the collision could potentially
be deadly for all parties. At the very least, a  vehicle that collides
with a moose will need serious body work on the front end. Most
drivers in rural areas have the dangers of animal collisions drilled
into them from an early age, and will therefore go to great lengths
to prevent collisions.
Swerving to avoid an animal can be as dangerous as hitting the
animal itself, especially if the car is heavily laden with people
and cargo and the road is slippery. The moose test is designed
to account for both animal collisions and swerving to avoid them,
and is usually performed on a closed course with a professional
driver, although some car companies use automated safety testing
systems to perform a moose test.
A moose test begins with the moose, which is usually simulated
with steel and other strong materials, arranged to be about the
size and shape of an adult moose. In a simple moose test, the car
will be slammed into the moose at varying rates of speed to see
what happens. The goal is for the car to flip the moose over the
roof, thereby avoiding penetration of the windshield, although
this may still do substantial damage to the car. In a more complex
moose test, a driver will simulate spotting a moose, swerving to
avoid it, and swerving back into the correct lane to avoid oncoming
traffic. In this instance, the hope is that the vehicle will remain
upright and will not spin out of control.
While the idea of a moose test may seem somewhat preposterous,
the moose test has contributed several things to automotive safety,
including reinforced windshields and careful A-pillar placement.
These measures may prevent serious injury or death in the event
of many types of collision, including one with a moose.
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