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Rollover Study Shows Roof Strength Weakness

By Eddie Farah

Three independent auto safety groups have found that the federal government's safety standard failed miserably for roof crush standards in real-world conditions.

Researchers from Public Citizen, The Center for Auto Safety and the Center for Injury Research, strapped crash-test dummies into the vehicles in seat belts.

The vehicles had received passing grades under NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) standards.

What the groups found was that the dummies suffered traumatic injuries that would have been fatal or paralyzing if humans had been in their place.

The cars the dummies were strapped into were the 2007 Pontiac G6, the 2006 Chrysler 300, the 2007 Toyota Camry, the 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, the 2006 Honda Ridgeline and the 2006 Hyundai Sonata. The vehicles were donated by State Farm Insurance and are the same ones that performed well in NHTSA's tests.

The test involved using a Jordan Rollover System, which is a device that's designed to test the rollover occupant protection performance of a car.

The groups conclude that NHTSA needs to test using a tougher standard, a dynamic test for cars and trucks rather than testing stationary and upright vehicle roofs. The current standards only save 13 to 44 lives out of more than 10,000 rollover deaths annual, says Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook.

"It has refused to use dynamic testing for a comprehensive standard to save thousands of lives and reduce head injury and ejection. The Congress, the next administration, and/or the courts will be asked by consumers to right this wrong."

NHTSA has plans to upgrade its standards for roofs from 1.5 times the vehicles weight to 2.5 times the vehicle weight as a standard the roof should resist crushing. A final rule will be released by October 1.

And what all consumers need to be aware of is that automakers are shielded from liability thanks to NHTSA. The final rule also also includes language that protects manufacturers who comply with the safety standard from being held liable for occupant injuries in that vehicle, essentially pre-empting consumer injury lawsuits.

NHTSA is showing just whose benefit is is protecting.

YouTube videos are available on the crash tests for the public to see on the crash tests.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Eddie Farah

Full post as published by Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer on September 13, 2008 (boomark / email).