SUV Rollover: Minimize your Risk

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Automobiles )



THE VEHICLE OF CHOICE

Sports utility vehicles or SUV’s are a popular choice for automobile buyers. Their rugged good looks, roomy interior, all-terrain driving, and all-over greater flexibility make them an ideal car for the entire household.

The problem is that SUV’s were not originally intended for family use. SUV’s were designed more as a lifestyle vehicle, targeting the adventurous type. Because of this, car manufacturers were not able to foresee the high incidence of SUV rollovers.

An SUV rollover occurs because sports utility vehicles move differently from normal road cars. Their design makes them prone to SUV rollovers when making maneuvering sharp corners and making sharp turns.

RARE BUT DANGEROUS ROLLOVERS

While rollovers do not occur with the same frequency as other accidents, the fact remains that SUV rollovers have the highest number of fatalities and serious injuries than similar rollovers involving other types of vehicles. An SUV rollover is far more dangerous because the weight of the car and its higher center of gravity generates stronger shearing forces during rollovers. This is exacerbated by the fact that SUV’s are more prone to rollovers than any other type of vehicular design.

SUV rollover is a natural consequence of the vehicle’s design and intent. The bigger body and higher center of gravity makes it far less stable. This instability is aggravated when SUV’S carry more weight. SUV’s are designed to carry greater loads; the problem is that the weight is added above the center of gravity, making the vehicle top-heavy. So when SUV’s carry more load, their center of gravity is raised even more, making it more prone to SUV rollovers.

The problem with an SUV rollover has been addressed by better design. However, rollovers will still occur. To solve this, a system of SUV rollover ratings has been set in place to help consumers decide. SUV rollover ratings rank SUV’s according to its tendency to rollover. A SUV with higher SUV rollover ratings is more stable compared with one that has a lower rating.


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