Starting in the mid-1990s, sport utility vehicles, known colloquially as SUVs, began to receive a lot of attention when accidents became prevalent due to poor body design, faulty tires, and excessive speed. As SUV rollover injuries increased, sport utility vehicles went through a period of extreme unpopularity, as consumers became wary of the level of safety available.
Although manufacturers have made many improvements to sport utility vehicles since that time, accidents still occur. Before heading out in your SUV, keep in mind the current statistics on the safety of your vehicle, as well as some tips to keep yourself and your family safe on the road.
The United States government has tracked statistics on accidents involving sport utility vehicles for over a decade. When considering the millions of accidents that occur on American highways and local roads every year, studies have shown that an SUV is more than sixteen times likely to be involved in an accident causing injuries or death than a four-door sedan.
Similar studies noted that the number of SUVs involved in rollover accidents has risen considerably. SUV rollover injuries have also risen as a result of the increased amount of accidents. In 2003, more than four thousand people died as a result of an SUV rollover, and non-fatal injuries numbered substantially higher.
In the face of these grim statistics, there are steps you can take while driving to ensure that your trip to the mall doesn’t include injuries as a result of your SUV rolling over. These steps are beneficial to both you as the driver, your companions as passengers, and the drivers and passengers of the other vehicles who traverse the roads you frequent.
Although no amount of safety and foresight can guarantee one hundred percent that you will not be involved in an accident, prudence and planning can increase your chances of avoiding incidents substantially higher.
First, before getting into your vehicle, give it a careful visual once-over. SUV rollover injuries can sometimes occur as a result of some kind of damage present on a vehicle long before it encounters trouble. One important sign to look for is if your vehicle is canting to one direction or another.
This could be indicative of either tires not balancing correctly, flat tires, or much more serious problems with the suspension and frame of the vehicle. A thirty-second once-over could prove to save your life. It is important to remember that if you find anything that makes you feel uncomfortable about riding in your SUV, you have it taken care of immediately.
Second, always ensure that you and your passengers are wearing your seatbelts at any time when your vehicle is in motion, or during times when your vehicle is idling in traffic. The latter is extremely important; drivers and riders often assume that just because their own car is not moving, there is no danger. This is far form the case, as you could become involved in an accident while you are parked in place, and so the protection offered by wearing your seatbelt is paramount.
If you will be traveling with any minor children, ensure that they are safely and securely buckled into approved child-safety equipment. It is always preferable that a child be seated in the back seat of your car; the deployment of the passenger-side airbag can have a devastating effect on a car seat.
Every state and many countries have different requirements as to what age special restraint much be used through and what types of restraints are necessary. Always use, at a minimum, what is required by your locale. It is always best to have as much insurance against SUV rollover injuries as possible.
Finally, remain alert and aware of your surroundings each and every time you operate your motor vehicle. This is not necessary only for your own driving; it is also necessary to remain alert and aware of the passengers in your vehicle, and alert and aware of the drivers with whom you share the road.
Even if you are the most cautious driver in the world, you could still encounter trouble on random occasions. Remaining alert will enable your reflexes to kick in when necessary to avoid an accident.
Sport utility vehicles are both fun to drive and a tremendous storage and transport solution. By understanding the danger that may accompany their usage as well as observing a few easy techniques to stay out of accidents, you can increase your chances of avoiding SUV rollover injuries.