Safety: Size vs. Weight Debate

Image via Wikipedia

Safety is among the top priorities for consumers and the automotive
industry alike. However, it is a complex issue involving the study of many
different types of single vehicle crashes (hitting obstacles, roll-overs, etc.) and
multiple vehicle crashes. Historically, automotive safety has been measured by
reviewing actual crashes in a statistical manner and assessing which features
(weight, wheel base, age or type of vehicle) make a safer vehicle and by conducting
vehicle crashes with dummies into barriers or with side impact.

While these measurements are useful, they do not allow for the systematic
investigation – across many different crash types – of how much safer a vehicle
could be made if its size and weight are altered.

In order to shed light on this issue, the Aluminum Association commissioned
Dynamic Research, Inc. (DRI) to analyze the safety differences in a fleet of SUVs
that vary by size and weight while also studying the safety of the driver in the other
vehicle involved in the crash. This comprehensive approach considers safety in the
context of providing protection for all passengers and vehicles on the road.

Read the full report from here.