SUV Rollover Safety

SUVs have a higher rollover rate than regular cars.

SUVs, or sport utility vehicles, are among the most likely of all vehicles to rollover in an accident. They also account for 33 percent of accident fatalities, which makes rollover safety a key issue for SUV drivers.

Types of Rollovers

Rollovers are responsible for some of the most severe accidents.

When an SUV has a rollover in a accident, there are two main types: tripped and un-tripped. Tripped rollovers occur when the SUV goes off the road and either sinks its tires into soil that is soft or strikes something. The impact causes the vehicle to tip and roll, which can also occur on a steep grade of ground. The un-tripped rollovers normally happen when the vehicle is going at high speed and tries to avoid striking another car or an object in the road, causing it topple and roll. Tripped rollovers are the most common, happening in 95 percent of rollover occurrences.

Speed

SUVs are taller vehicles and can be top-heavy, depending on the model. This makes them more likely to roll, especially at high speeds. Going over the speed limit, especially if it is 55 miles per hour or above, increases your chance for this to occur. When driving on a highway, it is better to be at or below the speed limit with this kind of vehicle, which will reduce your chances for a rollover.

Driver Behavior

Your behavior can have a huge impact on whether or not you are in an accident.

Driving sober and responsibly are two other key factors for safely getting to your destination and avoiding rollovers. Alcohol can slow your reaction time and reduces your coordination and your vision, which is a dangerous combination to put behind the wheel. Rollover accidents involve a single vehicle 85 percent of the time that they occur, showing that the driver's behavior was a huge factor in causing the accident.

Car Maintenance and Safety

Keeping your car well maintained can also prevent rollovers. Your tires are a key ingredient, and if they are wearing out or are not properly inflated, this can cause the SUV to slide to the side if you are driving on wet pavement. This is a perfect situation for a rollover to occur. Also, you should be careful how you put heavy loads in the vehicle. If, for instance, you put a heavy object on top of the car, it becomes more top heavy making it easier for it to roll. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to properly load your vehicle.

Considerations

Rural areas and roads are the most likely scenes for a rollover to happen, so careful driving is essential when on these roads. You should learn how to handle your vehicle in the case of an emergency, such as when your SUV leaves the road. In this case, you want to slowly reduce speed as this will give you more control of the vehicle, then you can get back on the road when it is safe. If you panic during an emergency and try to "overcorrect" when steering can actually cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Technology and Safety

Automotive designers have been working to prevent these kind of accidents and have come out with technology that reduces the chance of an accident and of injury. Side impact head airbags, in conjunction with seat belts, deploy in the event of a rollover to protect the occupants. Wearing a seatbelt with this system is essential, as it prevents you from being ejected from the vehicle. The VRHS, variable ride-height suspension, can lower the height of the vehicle automatically as it senses changing road conditions. This can also help to prevent a rollover.

References

• SaferCar.gov: Rollover