Midsize SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles in the United States. Many people often purchase them to fit their growing family. They also assume that the larger size means that they are safe. There’s something to be said about size, but one study has found that these SUVs are actually not nearly as safe as one would think, especially for passengers in the back seat.
According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a passenger in the backseat of a midsize SUV was 46% more likely to die than someone who was sitting in the front of the vehicle during a front-end collision. This prompted researchers to claim that “most midsize SUVs offer inadequate front crash protection for passengers seated in the rear.”
Why is this an issue?
This has been highlighted because many safety innovations and different types of technology have been focused on front-seat safety. With past generations of vehicles, back seats were correctly assumed to be safer because most fatalities took place in the front. Additionally, most people drive alone – such as during their morning commute – so automakers focused on safety features for those in the front.
But what these new reports show is that safety in the back seat has not been keeping up. The assumption that a rear seat was automatically the safer place to be has proven problematic. Innovations have not kept people in the back nearly as safe as one would assume, and front-seat safety has now surpassed them. This is potentially problematic for anyone, but especially for those who are purchasing these vehicles specifically as family vehicles.
Safety in cars is very important and manufacturers should continue to stay alert on the latest technology in order to help combat injuries in auto accidents. They also need to ensure no defects are present that could compromise the safety of drivers and passengers.