SUV and 4x4 vehicals

Hummer · #1 01-24-2006, 11:30 PM

Safety

A Ford Excursion SUV next to a Toyota Camry

Safety is one common point of criticism. The majority of modern automobiles are constructed by a method called unibody or monocoque construction, whereby a steel body shell absorbs the impacts of collisions in crumple zones. Many SUVs, on the other hand, are constructed in the traditional manner of light trucks: body-on-frame, which when negligently designed can provide a comparatively lower level of safety. However, some SUVs have designs based on unibody construction: the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute, Lexus RX 330 (Motor Trend), RX 400h, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Acura MDX are some examples. In fact, the Jeep Cherokee/Liberty (1984+) and Grand Cherokee (1993+) have used unibody construction from the start, and have hardly sacrificed ruggedness or offroad prowess in the process.

The high center of gravity of SUVs makes them more prone to rollover accidents (especially if the vehicle leaves the road or in emergency manoeuvres) than lower vehicles. In recent years, Consumer Reports has found a few unacceptable SUVs due to their rollover risk. This was also dramatically demonstrated in one Fifth Gear show using a Range Rover. Modern SUVs are usually designed to prevent rollovers on flat surfaces.

SUV safety concerns are compounded by a perception among some consumers that SUVs are safer for their drivers than standard autos; this perception is generally incorrect, although SUVs might provide more safety in a few situations. According to G. C. Rapaille, a psychological consultant to automakers (as cited in Gladwell, 2004), many consumers feel safer in SUVs simply because their ride height makes "[their passengers] higher and dominate and look down (sic). That you can look down is psychologically a very powerful notion". This and the massive size and weight of SUVs may lead to consumers' false perception of safety (Gladwell, 2004). Big and Bad, Gladwell.com.

It is also documented that many SUVs, while slightly reducing risk for people inside the SUV, substantially increase risk for the people outside the SUV (in other cars or pedestrians).

In 2004, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released figures showing that drivers of SUVs were 11 percent more likely to die in an accident than people in cars. [1] These figures may be confounded by variables other than the vehicles' inherent safety, for example the documented tendency for SUVs to be driven more recklessly (most sensationally perhaps, the 1996 finding that SUV drivers are more likely to drive drunk [2]). SUV drivers are also statistically less likely to wear their seatbelts.

A benefit for SUV drivers is their higher seating: they have a better overview on the road, and therefore can react sooner to crossing children or incidents ahead. At the same time SUV's (like other trucks, vans and higher vehicles) are blocking the view of other vehicles on the road which often frustrates other drivers