2007 SUVs improve in rollover ratings

Jeanum · Aug 29, 2007

2007 SUVs improve in rollover ratings
NHTSA rankings show technology cuts vehicles' risk

August 29, 2007

BY KEN THOMAS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON -- Many new sport-utility vehicles, equipped with anti-rollover technology, are less of a risk for rollover crashes than their predecessors, the government says.

Rollover ratings issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2007 model year show SUVs making progress.

The ratings give consumers information on the likelihood of rollovers, which kill more than 10,000 people in the United States every year. Rollovers account for more than a third of motorists killed in the country annually, despite being only 3% of all crashes.

Seventy-eight 2007 SUVs -- more than half of the total models -- received a four-star rating in the rollover tests, according to an analysis by the Associated Press. For the previous year, 48 out of 103 SUVs rated earned four stars. Only one SUV received four stars in 2001.

You may view the rest of the article, and a list of NHTSA's 2007 SUV rollover ratings at:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070829/BUSINESS01/708290428/1014
or go to www.safercar.gov to look up all of NHTSA's scores for a specific vehicle, SUV or otherwise.

Guest · Aug 30, 2007

Stability control will do that. It's not even that expensive an add on for the manufacturers. Just an add on to the ABS system will do it. Mandating it in all cars wouldn't kill them despite the crap they spew out. Especially considering how much they cost nowadays. Consumers wouldn't even notice the price change.

Jeanum · Aug 30, 2007

NHTSA proposed mandatory stability control for all new vehicles by the 2012 model year in the U.S., and I believe the proposal is being implemented. Can't happen soon enough IMHO.