Lies About SUVs

[Bruce Levinson]

In his 4-Wheel Drive/SUV column on About.com, Jim Walczak discusses lies about SUVs, particularly lies using statistics. As Mr. Walczak notes, "Some people use statistics like a drunk uses a lamp post - for support rather than for illumination." As an example, the articles highlights a "respected statistical website" that claims that "SUV drivers are more likely to die in a rollover accident than a car driver who rolls his ride." However, the article also states that "a higher percentage of those that died in an SUV rollover were not wearing their seatbelts." Thus, as Mr. Walczak points out, there is a serious question of causality. "Did the SUV rolling over cause the death, or is it the non-seatbelt wearing driver that is more likely to die in a rollover?" There is no question all vehicle occupants should wear seat belts or other age-appropriate restrint device. However, the statistics in no way prove that SUVs are less safe than passenger cars.

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[2strokebloke]

If only he were actually writing something worth reading. Some people bend the statistics to say that SUVs are unsafe, others bend them to say not wearing seatbelts is unsafe. But the bottom line still remains that more SUV drivers die in rollovers than drivers of cars. What does it tell you? Wear your seatbelts, even if you're driving a tank.

[Bruce Levinson]

Always wear a seatbelt.

[ibhuff]

Lots of people have a bias against SUV drivers, and will say what they feel like to get their point across.
More SUV drivers may die in roll-overs, but more drivers of cars (probably) die in normal collisions. Personally, I feel safer in my Blazer than I did in my Sunfire. I know a roll-over is more likely in my Blazer, but I wear my seatbelt and I dont drive like an ass, so Im not too worried.

[Colin Miller]

Another common myth applies to semi trucks.

There are approximately 40,000 deaths in the US due to car crashes. Trucks are involved in about 1600 of them. Of that 3-4% of truck involvement, the passenger car involved is responsible for the wreck about 92-95% of the time.

And yet, trucks are made to run at a lower speed limit on many freeways. OH, PA, AR, CA (15 mph difference), ID, IL, IN, MI (again, 15 mph), MT, OR, and WA all have split speeds for cars/trucks.

The odd thing is that split speeds can make much more dangerous situations with cars coming up too quickly on the trailer of the trucks. Bad accidents result from that.

One mor thing. In Michigan, the truck speed limit is 55 mph, but they allow 16,000 pounds per axle. Companies stuff as many axles as they can under tractor/trailers. I've seen 5 axle tractors and 12 axle trailers with 6 of them being drop axles.

[Bruce Levinson]

I have noticed on any number of occassions that some drivers (certainly a small minority) drive irresponsibly when they are near large trucks. This mentality I do not understand at all.