Bigger Is Safer, Government Study Says
A study just released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that large four-door passenger cars and minivans had the lowest fatality rates of all vehicle types, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The study examined fatality data from 1995 to 2000 to determine the effects of vehicle weight on safety. Only vehicles manufactured between 1991 and 1999 were considered.
In general, in another news report by the Associated Press, NHTSA found that lighter vehicles were less safe. Among small passenger cars such as the , there was a 4.4 percent increase — or an estimated 597 deaths per year — in the risk of a fatality for every 100-pound reduction in the vehicle's weight.
Among other findings:
- Large passenger cars, such as the , and minivans had the lowest fatality rates of all vehicle types.
- The fatality rate for SUVs and passenger cars of similar weight was essentially the same in non-rollover crashes. But death rates rose significantly for SUV occupants in rollover crashes.
- Mid-size sport utility vehicles are nine times as likely as passenger cars to be involved in fatal rollover crashes and twice as likely to kill the occupants of other vehicles in crashes.
Gas Prices Decline
The nationwide average price of self-serve regular gasoline has declined 12.4 cents per gallon since mid-September and now averages $1.565, according to AAA.
In addition, after reaching a new record high price of $1.737 per gallon on August 30, 2003, the nationwide average pump price has fallen 17.2 cents.
AAA says its Fuel Gauge Report is based upon data from the Oil Price Information Service, the nation's most comprehensive source of petroleum pricing statistics.