Parents' Guide to

Crash Science

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Vehicle wreck dissections can be quite scary.

TV National Geographic Channel Educational 2007
Crash Science Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

The documentary series CRASH SCIENCE takes a scientific look at why various accidents and collisions happen -- as well as the technological advances that have made vehicles safer for drivers and passengers. Using video footage of wrecks, interviews with crash victims, expert testimony, and computer-generated images, the series details how speed, vehicle design, and outside factors can combine for disastrous results on the road. Engineers sometimes offer insight into how car designs have changed to incorporate new safety features. Some episodes have investigated crashes involving race cars, high-speed motorcycles and runaway vehicles; one used cutting-edge technology to re-create the accident that killed James Dean and answer some of the long-standing questions surrounding his death.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Car-savvy tweens and teens may enjoy this intriguing series, but the multiple replays of wrecks are too much for younger kids. Parents who watch with driving-age teens can use the opportunity to remind them of the dangers that exist on the road and the constant need for concentration behind the wheel.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about automobile safety. Why are there laws about vehicle safety? Do you know the laws for your state? How do distractions like talking on a cell phone, eating, or adjusting the radio affect a driver's reaction time? How can passengers help a driver's concentration? If you get in a car accident, what should you do?

TV Details

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