"Hundreds More Will Die"

[Bruce Levinson]

Based on a recent study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Heartland Institute has concluded that "Reducing the weight of cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs)" would result "in significantly higher death rates among American motorists." The NHTSA study found that "weight reductions in the most popular SUVs—those weighing less than 5,000 pounds—would make travel significantly less safe for vehicles’ occupants." The Heatland Institute also noted that most "SUVs are used by families to transport their children." It is estimated that reducing the weight of a popular light or midsized SUV by 100 pounds "would result in 234 additional traffic fatalities every year." The death toll for reducing the weight of small cars would be even more extreme. For example, it is estimated that reducing the weight of one popular small car would cost almost 600 additional lives every year. Despite the importance of the NHTSA study for evaulating the impact of CAFE regulations, the Heartland Institute notes that "Although the study adds to the weight of evidence that fuel economy standards sacrifice human life for energy conservation, the NHTSA did not explicitly reach that conclusion in its report." NHTSA may have been able to ignore the implications of their study when the document was released. It is less likely they will be able to do so if they propose new fuel economy regulations.

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[2strokebloke]

I'd be curious to hear what the NHSTA has to say about the Mercedes Smart car being rated higher in european crash tests than heavier cars, for example, the PT Cruiser?