> > Yes, SUV's have a high-center of gravity, which makes them
> more prone to
> > rollovers. But you know what car has the most rollovers?
> The Corvette,
> > which has a very low center of gravity.
> >
> Where'd you get this data? I'd like to review it.
>>I read it in Car and Driver a few years ago when all the hype was
going on >>about requiring a 'rollover rating' on vehicles. I can't
recall exactly >>the data being compared, but it made the point that
driver behavior is one >>of the most important factors. I'm sure you
can find the stats in the >>NHTSA data.
>
>>Obviously, given the same circumstances, a vehicle with a high center
of
>>gravity is more likely to roll.
This is the honest to God truth. I know because my Dad compiled the
data for NHTSA when the study was first conducted around 1994 or so.
Good design cannot totally compensate for bad driving and poor judgment.
He also did the data compilation on a NHTSA study that found small or
compact pickup trucks are more likely to back over and into objects
(namely small children) because the driver sits low and the tailgate is
positioned high. This study was performed in 1992 and is more than
likely out of date now, due to vehicles like the Ford Expedition and GMC
Yukon XL.
> > All of the talk about a vehicle being inherently dangerous
> is a nice way to
> > try to avoid personal responsibility for poor driving.
> >
> Poor driving by whom? Seems to me that a poor driver has a better
> chance of surviving in a safer car. Anyway, rollover tests are
> conducted by pro drivers, eh?
I don't understand the statement about poor drivers surviving in a safer
car. Anyone has a better chance of surviving in a safer car. I would
think an individual driving a SUV or a MG (don't kid yourself, we all
know that our LBC is about as safe as a motorcycle) that uses good
judgment, has reasonable skill and proper control of the car will have
the best chance of survival because the accident will have been averted.
And please don't start ripping on my Dad or I because you don't agree;
we are both sociologist (he PhD, me BA) and very proficient with
databases, data collection and analysis (he beta tested the first
version of Oracle; I am a MCDBA). Just supporting Chuck's argument.
Matthew Hale
67 B
http://projectmgb.phathookups.com/
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