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Roof Crush and Rollover Information Center

Every year more than 10,000 people die in rollover crashes.  Although only four percent of all crashes are rollovers, they account for one-third of all occupant fatalities.  Despite repeated requests from safety advocates and members of Congress over the past two decades, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has failed to establish a standard for rollover prevention, implementing instead a weak consumer information program.

Rollover crashes do not have to be deadly, as the crash forces in a rollover are spread out over a period of a couple of seconds and thus less severe than other types of crashes such as frontal and side impact crashes.  This suggests that rollovers are dangerous due to poor vehicle design. In addition, safety belts and seat structures are not made to keep occupants in place during a crash, and vehicle roofs are so flimsy that when they absorb the full weight of the car they crush into occupants’ heads and spines, inflicting very serious injuries.  Public Citizen supports the creation of a dynamic rollover standard, supported by mandatory crashworthiness protections, in addition to providing consumers with effective, readily available vehicle-specific information at the point-of-sale.

More on Roof Crush and Rollovers

If you are interested in learning more about SUV safety, visit our SUV safety hazards page.

Click here to learn more about the Ford-Firestone disaster.

Click here for a safer, more fuel-efficient SUV

Chronologies on Rollover and Roof Crush Safety:

Click here for "The Sad History of Rollover Prevention"

Click here for "The Failed 1971 Roof Strength Standard"

Read More:

• The Public Should Walk Away From Rollover Crashes -- But Few Do
  - Click here
  
• Roof Crush is a Major Cause of Rollover Deaths and Injuries
  - Click here
  
• Ineffective Standard Allows Roofs To Be Perilously Weak
  - Click here
  
• NHTSA’s Unfulfilled Promises Leave Us At Risk 
  - Click here
  
• Improving Roof Strength Is Feasible and Inexpensive 
  - Click here
  
• Fact Sheet: "Industry Concealment of Tests Undermined Development of Meaningful Rollover Crash Roof Crush Resistance Standard in 1971" - Click here to read

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