SUVs are considered “safer” than smaller car models. This probably comes from their more “massive” bodywork which better protects passengers in the event of an accident. Are the weight and size of a vehicle really determining factors?
In general, we all think that larger, beefier vehicles protect passengers better in the event of an accident. This will follow from the laws of physics. The longer the deformation zone, the better the body transfers loads. However, it should be remembered that all modern cars are equipped with so-called “passive” safety systems, carefully designed to ensure maximum protection. The mass of a vehicle is important when a collision between two cars takes place. In a head-on collision, the larger car pushes the smaller car out of the field. Thus, passengers in the larger car will be exposed to a lower force than those in the smaller car and even if both cars are equipped with high-level safety systems. However,
Passive safety systems of suvs will be modified
There is no doubt that in the event of a collision with an SUV, a smaller car will be in an unfavorable position, even if both vehicles performed the same in safety evaluation tests. It is also worth mentioning that SUVs and pickup trucks manufactured until recently posed a greater danger when facing smaller vehicles. Their structures responsible for passive safety were located higher up. In some cases, a taller car could even crush the roof of a smaller car. Often made of metal, a taller bumper posed a greater threat to pedestrians. Today, modern plastic materials are used which ensure everyone’s protection.
Suv and pick-up versus small cars – car safety tests
The Institute for Highway Safety has carried out analyzes of accidents that took place at the beginning of the 21st century. Particular attention was paid to situations in which two vehicles of different sizes collided. It turned out that SUVs and pick-ups produced at the time caused far more casualties in collisions with smaller cars than, for example, minivans. Therefore, in recent years, car manufacturers have made many changes to passive safety systems to improve protection.
Can a city car be safer than an suv?
The answer to this question is not obvious. The date of manufacture and the equipment of the car in question are of great importance, as are the skills of the driver. Security standards, solutions used and technologies are constantly evolving. Thus, a new city car model can offer better protection to passengers than an old SUV model. Cars today feature much more sophisticated passive safety structures. Their many elements are made from very durable cushioning materials, such as expanded polypropylene PPE. It is also worth remembering that small cars are much easier to maneuver, which sometimes helps avoid dangerous situations. Also their ease of parking can be a great advantage for less experienced drivers. For comparison, larger vehicles had weaker construction a decade ago, which provided less protection in the event of a rollover. They also did not have modern electronic systems and ESP, which is important, especially in the case of tall cars. These systems only became mandatory equipment in 2012.
The secret to passive safety in modern cars
We are not even aware of their presence on a daily basis. In extreme situations, they constitute an effective protection, and sometimes the only one. The basis of passive systems is the controlled crumple zone at the front. It absorbs most of the impact even before the passenger compartment. In addition, it includes many elements that have different functions. They serve to stabilize a body’s position and ensure comfort, as well as to transfer vibrations and gravity loads. Today, most of them are made from modern expanded plastics, such as EPP. This material is used, among other things, to manufacture shock-absorbing elements that perfectly suppress impacts.
Additionally, it is durable enough not to deform and strongly featured in car interiors. It is used in the manufacture of: headrests which stabilize and protect the cervical spine, backrests and seats which support the position of the body, door trims which effectively eliminate lateral impacts, footrests which allow positioning legs comfortably when driving. And even the elements of the ceiling and floor covering are made from this material.
