Study: Side Airbags Improve SUV Safety
NU Online News Service, June 19, 12:17 p.m. EDT?A crash-test study involving 12 different small sports utility vehicles has shown that side airbags can make significant improvements in protecting SUV passengers in an accident, according to an insurance research group.
In its first-ever side-impact crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rammed 12 small SUVs with a machine simulating a larger SUV or a pickup at a 31-miles-per-hour speed. After studying the results, the institute said if such crashes were to occur in a real setting, side airbags can enhance protection for drivers and passengers.
The test results, the group explained, were based on vehicle performance and on how much damage was inflicted on crash-test dummies in the driver's seat and left-rear seat after a 31-m.p.h. impact from the side.
The institute said only two small SUVs in the test received a "good" rating: 2003 models of Suburu Forrester and Ford Escape that were equipped with side airbags. The Hyundai Santa Fe, which was the only other vehicle tested with side airbags, got an "acceptable" rating from the institute.
Among test vehicles, only Suburu Forrester and Hyundai Santa Fe offered side airbags as a standard feature. Ford Escape offers side airbags as an option for its customers and was tested twice, the institute said. One vehicle was tested with side airbags and one without, and the one without side airbags got a "poor" rating.
All others without side airbags received either "marginal" or "poor" ratings. The SUVs that got "poor" ratings were: Honda Element, the Saturn Vue, Land Rover Freelander, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Rav-4 and Mitsubishi Outlander.
The Insurance Institute said it is hoping that its study findings will persuade more auto manufacturers to start installing side airbags in their SUVs.
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