Big Trucks And SUVs Remain The Safest In Annual IIHS Fatality Statistics

Despite manufacturers’ efforts to make them safer, the smallest late-model cars remain the most dangerous, according to the most recent driver death rates calculated by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

Small cars and minicars accounted for 15 of the 20 models with the highest death rates for model year 2017, while nearly half of the 20 models with the lowest death rates were luxury SUVs.

“Smaller vehicles offer less protection for the driver in crashes, and their lighter mass means that they take the brunt of collisions with larger vehicles,” says Joe Nolan, IIHS senior vice president of vehicle research.

MDarringer - 5/28/2020 10:19:36 AM

+2 Boost

There's this thing called physics....

mini22 - 5/28/2020 12:36:29 PM

+2 Boost

Which is why it spells the end of the "sedan" as we know it.

MrEE - 5/28/2020 8:14:44 PM

+1 Boost

Demographics of the driver behind the wheel is a major factor. A previous study had the Prius safer than the Suburban. Also notice the differences between Fusion, Fusion hybrid and Fusion plugin, so more to it than vehicle structure.

Section_31_JTK - 5/28/2020 10:57:53 PM

+1 Boost

9500 lb Ford dually truck vs any number of small vehicles isn't going to end well for those smaller vehicles.

MrEE - 5/29/2020 7:43:05 PM

+1 Boost

and Ford F-250 death rate isn't stellar, especially in single vehicle accidents, so much for being safe.

MDarringer - 5/29/2020 8:19:56 PM

+1 Boost

But if the "death" rate isn't stellar, wouldn't that be a good thing?