Americans love pickup trucks. Whether we buy them for practical, stylistic, or symbolic reasons, more of us are sitting in the cabs of pickups and other light trucks every year. Automakers sold 2.8 million full-size and mid-size pickups in 2017, marking a 4.8 percent increase over 2016, and pickup trucks account for over 16 percent of all vehicles purchased in the U.S. But quantity does not necessarily equal quality – or safety – according to a recent report that found many popular pickups to be deficient in providing protection for passengers in motor vehicle accidents.
“Small Overlap Crash” Tests Reveal Poor Pickup Safety Performance
Released earlier this year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report indicates truck passengers are at greater risk of serious injury or death than the drivers.
The researchers found that most two-row pickups ”struggled to maintain their structure“ in ”small overlap crash” tests designed to evaluate what occurs to passengers when the front-right corner of the truck crashes into another vehicle or a stationary object like a wall, tree, or utility pole.
”Clearly as a class, they’re not offering state-of-the-art occupant protection“ on the passenger side, IIHS chief research officer David Zuby told USA Today. “The pickup class still has a lot of work to do.”
Worst: Toyota Tundra. Best: Ford F-150.
The IIHS gave the Toyota Tundra the worst marks in the tests, designating its safety performance as “poor.”
Five pickups only received a “marginal” ranking:
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Chevrolet Colorado
• GMC Canyon
• GMC Sierra 1500
• Nissan Frontier
Two trucks received an “acceptable” rating: the Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline.
On the positive side of the ledger, the most popular passenger vehicle in the U.S., the Ford F-150, earned a “good” score, along with the Ram 1500 and Nissan Titan.
The IIHS study makes clear that while pickups have come a long way when it comes to driver safety, passenger protection is still deficient when compared to cars.
Lamothe Law Firm: New Orleans Car and Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one suffered injuries on the road, whether as a driver or passenger, the attorneys at Lamothe Law Firm stand ready to help. When you contact us to arrange your free initial consultation, we will discuss your situation, explore your options, and seek the maximum amount of compensation available for your injuries and losses.
Please contact us today to review your case.
