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Roof Crush and Rollover Information Center

Roof Crush and Rollover Information Center

Every year more than 10,000 people die in rollovercrashes.  Although only four percent of all crashes are rollovers, theyaccount for one-third of all occupant fatalities.  Despite repeated requestsfrom safety advocates and members of Congress over the past two decades, theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration has failed to establish astandard for rolloverprevention, implementing instead a weak consumer informationprogram.

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


More on Roof Crush and Rollovers

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If you are interested in learning more about SUV safety, visit ourSUV safetyhazards page.

Clickhere to learn more about the Ford-Firestone disaster.

Clickhere for a safer, more fuel-efficient SUV


Chronologies on Rollover and Roof CrushSafety:

Click here for “The Sad History of RolloverPrevention

Click here for “The Failed 1971 Roof StrengthStandard


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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