Have you ever witnessed a vehicle rollover? If so, surely you are aware of how horrific it can be. The combination of speed and weight can cause a vehicle to flip and have a very tragic outcome. In fact, rollovers are responsible for 51% of all deaths in standard sport utility vehicles, 36% of deaths in pickup trucks, and 19% of deaths in standard cars. A rollover is an extremely severe automobile accident, as well as an increasingly common one with the growing popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). In 2002, the total number of individuals killed in rollover accidents involving SUVs rose 14%.
An SUV’s probability of suffering a rollover is increased by its high center of gravity and relatively narrow wheelbase. A great number of rollover accidents involve only one vehicle and are typically caused by:
- Equipment Failure (such as a tire blowout)
- Excessive speed, especially in curves, or
- Poor road conditions
The severity of injuries is often directly proportional to the number of rolls sustained and the use of active restrains, such as seatbelts. Without enough or secure restraints, a driver or passenger runs a higher risk a being ejected.
