Wednesday 15th January 2003

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

SUV's in rollover susceptibility not-so-much-of-a-shocker

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[Bonce]

Manufacturers are currently resisting attempts to force them to make crush resistant roofs.

That's shocking. If I was going to drive a two tonne+ car I'd want to be confident that those two tonnes wouldn't trap/crush me if I rolled it!

In fact rollover protection is a consideration whatever car I buy. Not that I plan to roll any car, ever but hey, you can't always plan these things.

[egomeister]

I'm not sure that the crushing in the event of a rollover situation would be any different for a passenger car or and SUV. The roofs are constructed in the same way, but an SUV has a higher chance of rolling in an accident.

[MDG]

Increasing the strenght of the roof would only add weight, thus raising the center of gravity even higher and further increasing the chance of a roll over.

Best option is probably to fit a proper rollcage.

MDG.

[egomeister]

MDG said: Increasing the strenght of the roof would only add weight, thus raising the center of gravity even higher and further increasing the chance of a roll over.
quote]

Very true MDG!

[Bonce]

Yes, I realise that, but engineering for safety is always about compromise. Surely it is possible to greatly increase the rollover safety without bringing the centre of gravity significantly higher. I mean a rollbar weighs very little compared to an SUV...

[Fatboy]

Yes, I realise that, but engineering for safety is always about compromise. Surely it is possible to greatly increase the rollover safety without bringing the centre of gravity significantly higher. I mean a rollbar weighs very little compared to an SUV...

The last thing you want to do is make the SUV driving numpties think they are any safer - they're dangerous enough as it is - making them think they've got a good chance of being FUBAR'd if they crash can only be a good thing IMO...

[kevinday]

Could always look at it in Darwin terms.........

[v8thunder]

I really think some sor of advanced driving lessons should be a necessity for some cars, especially considering the general standard of driver awareness.

[smifffy]

Shocking?

Well, not really as the article goes on to say that most of those who died in single vehicle accidents weren't wearing their seat belt.

After my upside-down adventure last year I can confirm that without my seatbelt I would have been like a frog in a blender.

[MikeAR303]

I say let them stay top heavy... If these morons want to buy them to "feel safer" and in the process make the roads more dangerous for those of us who drive cars, it serves them right if they roll over and get seriously injured and/or killed.

[double clutch]

I might sound a little cold, but I agree with Kevinday. Every day I encounter the yuppie soccer-mom driving her SUV to work, weaving in and out of traffic as if it were the latest GP contender from Ferrari, Williams and the like. It should be obvious to that driver that something that high is going to roll over easier than the Miata they just bullied out of the way. If they're stupid enough to drive them like sports cars, let them pay the price.
People will never realize that SUVs are NOT sporty, and are hardly utilitarian when compared to a minivan. The only reason why they exist is because the manufacturers make more money on each SUV than on the average car, partly because they use old truck bits which they've produced for years, and partly because they can skirt around safety and environmental regulations that apply to cars and vans. The sheep out there didn't want SUVs until detroit applied that most devilish of tools called advertising. Then, the sheep took the bait, hook, line, and sinker. It's a shame people aren't less ignorant, and more intelligent.
On another intersting note regarding SUVs in the US, the insurance companies are now considering increasing the premiums on SUVs because of the damage done to vehicles THEY hit. Being the driver of a Lotus Europa, the thought of being hit by an SUV brings an entirely new meaning to the term "defensive driving". :-(

[Gaffer]

double clutch said: On another intersting note regarding SUVs in the US, the insurance companies are now considering increasing the premiums on SUVs because of the damage done to vehicles THEY hit. Being the driver of a Lotus Europa, the thought of being hit by an SUV brings an entirely new meaning to the term "defensive driving". :-(

Don't I know it...my premimum has gone up nearly £200 in 2 years because of people rolling/crashing/numptying SUV's. I *know* how fast/hard I can push it but am always wary of being too cocky. A couple of times I have nearly come unstuck and made it through because of sheer good luck, it serves as a reminder that they are NOT sports cars and should be treated as such.

Claire

[hertsbiker]

Yeah, but armed with the knowledge that they will roll over, my attitude has hardened towards offroaders... eg, if it comes to a "squeeze" at high speed, I'm sure my car will get a bit scuffed, but damn certain I can get under them & flip them over.........

SO don't be intimidated by anything.

[superlightr]

hertsbiker said: Yeah, but armed with the knowledge that they will roll over, my attitude has hardened towards offroaders... eg, if it comes to a "squeeze" at high speed, I'm sure my car will get a bit scuffed, but damn certain I can get under them & flip them over.........

SO don't be intimidated by anything.

wicked A bit like Robot wars

[ErnestM]

double clutch said: ... Every day I encounter the yuppie soccer-mom driving her SUV to work...

And then you have the real road terrors: as above but with cell phone clamped to one ear and a large order of fries (or makeup case) in the lap... burns me up.

ErnestM

[sparkey]

I feel the need to defend those of us who drive SUVs and who aren't numpties (we may be the minority but we exist). I have a freelander which I think must be one of the better ones for on-road manners and in my experience would be very hard to roll (maybe because it's smaller than most SUVs). I have had mine very sideways in the dry on many occassions (on empty roads and roundabouts) and it's very controllable.

I'm also drive a Lotus Elan (small and fragile) and ride bikes, so I'm very aware of the damage my car could do to more vulnerable road users and try not to intmidate.

(P.S. If my spelling's bad it's coz I'm typing this with my laptop on the passenger seat and I've just spilt my fries over the keyboard when my phone rang, but I'm only doing 85 so it's OK isn't it ?)

[Fatboy]

(P.S. If my spelling's bad it's coz I'm typing this with my laptop on the passenger seat and I've just spilt my fries over the keyboard when my phone rang, but I'm only doing 85 so it's OK isn't it ?)

As long as you're not putting on your make-up in the rear view mirror as well that's fine