Why do people think that pickup trucks are safer than cars? I will explore that theme today.
From Trucks.com, “Regardless of added safety technology, trucks may still struggle to make the cut because their construction doesn’t absorb impacts as well as most cars, and also puts those riding inside smaller vehicles at greater risk of injury.
Most pickups will always be at a crash test disadvantage because of the way they’re built, said Jack Gillis of the Center for Auto Safety and publisher of The Car Book.
“Trucks have often tended to be more rigid and stronger than passenger cars and as a result do not collapse as easily in the event of a frontal collision,” Gillis said. “They end up transferring that energy back into the passenger compartment.””
Mister Gillis zeroed in on one of the main problems with pickup trucks, that being that their structure is more rigid than that of a car. The point being that a truck does not adsorb the impact of a crash like a car does. Thus the passengers will end up being subjected to much higher amounts of energy from the crash impact, which of course means that they will be subject to forces that will cause them to be more likely injured than if they were in a car.
Joan Claybrook, safety advocate and former head of NHTSA said, “Newer rollover regulations have improved safety for those inside pickup trucks, but not enough has been done to make them as safe for families as more traditional sedans and wagons.” To me that means that pickups will never be as safe as a 4-wheel drive car or even a regular car. With their higher center of gravity people have a tendency to push them beyond their designer’s safety parameters and this results in many flip or roll overs.
While the government has increased the safety standards for pickups, they are not the ideal vehicle to drive your family around. Pickups are best for carrying large items, trailering and off road driving. They as a class do not match the safety of an SUV or car and I for one would not consider a pickup truck as my main family transportation vehicle.
I know that many only buy a pickup truck and think that they are safe. Well in my opinion and that of many testing organizations they should not replace the family car! Yes, they have their place in the driveway and on the road. But, no one vehicle can do everything and that needs to pointed out. The television ads that try to show pickups as a great family vehicle are just plain wrong, automobile companies are trying to sell them to the general public because they can not make money by selling you a car.
That is my opinion- Jumpin Jersey Mike
