Some vehicles with this design flaw are the Ford Mustang, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, Range Rover and Lincoln Town Car.  When subjected to a common rear end collision, these cars may become highly flammable bombs that are engulfed in flames so fast, the people inside are unable to get out of the vehicle in time without suffering widespread burns and death.

Another problem with placement of fuel tanks is placing them in a “side-paddle” position or outside the frame of the vehicle on the side.  Once again, it seems obvious that placing the fuel tank outside of the frame rails and only protecting it by the sheet metal of the vehicle is very dangerous.  The needless horrific burns that victims suffer could have been prevented by relocating the tank and proper shielding.

In addition to proper placement of the fuel tank, there are several other manners in which fires begin that could have been prevented by the manufacturers.  The manufacturer must assure that gasoline does not escape from the fuel tank filler neck in a collision.  This can be done through the addition of technologically simple and cheap check valves.  The valve simply remains closed unless the vehicle is being fueled.

When a collision occurs and the occupant survives, she should not be killed or maimed as a result of a fuel fed fire.  Automotive manufacturers are in a position to put a stop to this horrible and needless event.