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ERIC Brouwer was in the horrific accident on Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot where 200 vehicles crashed in thick fog leaving 300 people injured on March 11.
Mr Brouwer, who was driving his Volvo S80 survived the accident with only a small scratch on his forehead.
The Dutch national living in Abu Dhabi is living proof that the car you drive can make a difference.
This is Mr Brouwer's story of survival:
"I was heading from my home in Abu Dhabi to my office in Dubai. However, reaching the highway, the weather conditions were bad and visibility was awful.
"There was a bus accident in front of me, a lot of panic around and I just crashed with the car in front of me due to the chaos. However, the air bags opened and the whiplash seat protection system was on which protected my neck and spine, the radio was still working so I was able to hear about the severity of this horrific accident.
"I felt safe and protected in my car, however, the nightmare started where all the cars started colliding and the four-lane highway was completely blocked.
"The car behind me was burning and I couldn't get out of the doors because all the collided cars were so squeezed next to each other. So I opened my sun roof which was working and got out of the car. The only injury I had was a small bruise from the airbags.
"During the accident I really praised myself for driving a Volvo, all the options were still working and I witnessed all the safety and technology features coming to life and eventually saving me from a terrible death."
Volvo believes the testimony of Mr Brouwer is an attestation that the S80 has been developed to make it one of the safest cars in its class, with sophisticated options of incorporated safety systems.
This car with its advanced body structure has been built to provide a high level of protection in different sorts of accidents.
The protective safety measures reduce the effects of a collision through WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) that avoids neck injuries by providing improved spinal support by virtue of modified backrest characteristics and close proximity of the head restraint's position to the occupant's.
Have YOU survived a near-fatal accident - share your story by writing to editor@gulfweekly.com
