In the
battle between physics and technology, nature still seems to hold a slight edge. According to a report released by
NHTSA, compact cars continue to suffer from a fatality rate approximately 46% greater than fullsize cars.
Interestingly enough, midsize-class cars have a slightly lower death rate than fullsizes. I’m not quite sure what
this means – are cars in this class typically more modern and thus safer, or does this class represent a “sweet
spot” where there’s enough size and mass to protect the occupants, but not so much bulk that the added energy
overwhelms any structural advantages?
SUVs show slightly higher fatality rates and were generally more
deadly in rollover accidents than equivalent-sized passenger cars, but vans are safest overall. I’m also at a loss to
explain that one, except to say that piloting a van in the manner prefered by B.A. Baracus or Bernard Campbell must be
the exception and not the rule.