New research has shed light on how super-sized vehicles impact the safety of other road users.
The study by America’s Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) revealed that these extra-large vehicles pose a greater risk of fatalities in accidents.
David Harkey, President of the IIHS, challenges the common belief that “bigger is safer” when it comes to vehicle safety.
The research looked at crashes involving oversized SUVs and pickup trucks between 2017 and 2022 in the US.
The findings are striking.
Other road users are 20% more likely to be killed in crashes involving SUVs weighing over 5000 pounds (2277kg).
While advancements like improved airbags and occupant protection have made vehicles safer for drivers, the risks to other motorists in collisions with heavy vehicles remain significant.
Larger than average utes, such as the popular Ford F-150 and Ram 1500, were found to cause more fatalities in two-vehicle crashes, even though driver death rates stayed low.
These American-style pickup trucks have been booming in popularity in Australia, prompting safety authorities to take action.
In response, ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) has announced plans to test emergency safety features for these oversized vehicles starting in 2025.
With the rise of big SUVs and utes, the average weight of cars in Australia has climbed to 2050 kg, making safety more important than ever.
