Fact or Fiction: Are SUVs Safer?

January 2006

Bigger doesn’t always mean better when it comes to children riding in SUVs. A recent study of cars and SUVs from 1998 or newer, shows sport-utility vehicles aren’t any safer for children than passenger cars.

According to a report involving 4,000 children under the age of 16 in auto accidents between 2000 and 2003:

• Children had injury rates of 1.7% in both cars and SUVs
• SUVs had double the risk of rollovers, canceling out the safety advantages of their larger size and weight
• Children in rollover crashes were three times more likely to be seriously injured than in non-rollover accident

In an attempt to reduce SUV rollovers, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is developing new standards for auto makers. In the meantime, consumers are encouraged to inspect safety ratings before purchasing or leasing a vehicle.

For more information about SUV rollovers, visit the Rollover Accident Legal Center.

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