Federal Regulators Propose Stronger Roofs on SUVs

Washington DC August 17, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that Federal regulators are proposing that SUVs make stronger roofs to give enhanced protection to occupants when vehicles roll over, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The changes involved are considered crucial to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s long-running campaign to mitigate deaths and injuries caused by vehicles rolling over. This would be the first time tougher standards are applied to big SUVs and pickup trucks. The proposal would subject all vehicles under 10,000 pounds to a roof strength test, and require the vehicle to withstand 2.5 times their weight, as opposed to current standards which require just 1.5 times.

Moving the standard up to 2.5 would affect some vehicles, but it shouldn’t be too hard for car companies to make the adjustments. Alan Adler, GM spokesman and the lone spokesman for the industry in this article said, "It will not hurt us much." Volvo already requires roofs on its first SUV, the XC90, to withstand 3.5 times its weight.

NHTSA plans to couple the roof standards with enhanced seat belts that tighten when the vehicle is about to roll over. Roll over accidents account for more than a third of occupant deaths.