The Myth of SUV Safety

October/November 2006

Contrary to popular belief, children in sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are no safer than those in traditional passenger cars. A recent study from the journal Pediatrics found that SUVs’ higher risk of rollover accidents offsets any potential benefit from their large size. SUVs are twice as likely as passenger cars to roll over.

According to Joel Swisher, managing director, research and consulting at Rocky Mountain Institute, “Size equals safety, but weight does not. Heavy SUVs increase accident risk. Minivans are big, but not especially heavy. That’s why they are among the safest vehicles on the road.”
