Smaller Vehicles No Match for Light Trucks in Crash
It's not only pedestrians who are in greater danger from light trucks. When a large, heavy vehicle collides with a smaller one, chances are the occupants of the latter will come out worse for wear. While strides have been made over the years in reducing deaths in crashes between cars and some light trucks, meaningful differences between cars and pickup trucks in particular continue to persist.
The term “crash compatibility” refers to whether the vehicles involved in a collision will inflict similar severity of damage on each other. Factors influencing compatibility include differences in weight, vehicle frame height and stiffness.
One study estimates that, controlling for one’s own vehicle weight, being hit by a vehicle that weighs 1000 pounds more can lead to a 47% increase in the risk of death to the occupant of the smaller vehicle. The risk is higher when the larger vehicle is a light truck.
Looking at data from 2013-2016, the fatality rate for car drivers in crashes with recent model pickup trucks was 159% higher compared to crashes between two cars.
What Can Be Done?
● Government fleets at the federal, state and local level can reevaluate their management, procurement and contracting practices to promote “right-sized” vehicles. The best one for the job may be smaller than expected.
● Grants can be developed for research into potential safety issues related to electric vehicles, such as battery weight or frame stiffness, to ensure the transition from gasoline to electric vehicles is as safe as possible.
For more recommendations, read the full Massive Hazards report.