Jim Grade 9 New York A. Jim, The dangers of SUVs are suddenly receiving more attention because federal regulators have received reports that more than 100 Americans have died in vehicles in crashed after their Firestone tires failed. Most of the vehicles that crashed were Ford Explorer SUVs. But the dangers of SUVs have not changed. SUV occupants die just as often in crashes as car occupants. But SUVs also roll over more easily than cars when they strike curbs, guard rails and lower-riding vehicles.
Rollovers are the most dangerous kind of crash.
Wearing a seat belt at all times is even more important in an SUV than in a car because a seat belt can prevent you from being thrown from the vehicle during a rollover. Most of the people killed or paralyzed in rollover crashes were not wearing their belts and were ejected from the vehicles in which they were riding. Keith Visit the Ask a Reporter Archive to read how New York Times reporters have answered students' questions, or see how different reporters have answered frequently asked questions.