Crash incompatibilities between cars and light trucks: issues and potential countermeasures

March 2004

In 1970 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) accounted for only about 1 percent of new vehicle sales. By 1980 they had increased to 6 percent, and by 2003 to 27 percent. This rapid growth has led to debate about two aspects of SUV safety: their rollover risk and their perceived “aggressivity” in collisions with cars. This paper will focus on the latter issue.