Safety Concerns Arise: Large pickup trucks, a popular choice for many Americans, have received poor ratings in tests measuring the safety of rear seat passengers during some types of crashes, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2023 model Stellantis Ram 1500 crew cab, Ford F-150 crew cab, and General Motors Chevrolet Silverado 1500 all received poor ratings in updated moderate overlap front crash tests, while the 2023 Toyota Tundra crew cab received a marginal rating.
These tests, conducted by the IIHS, are part of their efforts to encourage automakers to build safer vehicles by conducting rigorous crash tests and issuing safety ratings. The IIHS introduced an updated moderate overlap front test in 2022 due to research indicating a higher risk of fatal injuries for belted passengers in the rear seat of newer pickup trucks compared to those in the front. The findings reveal that while front seat safety has improved with advanced airbags and seat belts, rear seat restraint systems still need enhancements.
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While these pickup trucks performed well in front seat protection, the ratings dropped when it came to the safety of rear seat passengers. The updated side test, which simulates higher-speed crashes, was introduced to address ongoing fatalities in such accidents. It uses a heavier barrier traveling at higher speeds to simulate the impact from another vehicle.
The IIHS’s findings highlight the need for further safety improvements in the rear seats of large pickup trucks. Traffic safety remains a critical concern, with traffic deaths increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing to stay above pre-pandemic levels. While the number of traffic fatalities in the first six months of 2023 has decreased from the peak of the pandemic, it remains higher than in any first half of a year before 2020 since 2006.
In 2021, data showed that 60% of pickup drivers killed in traffic crashes were unrestrained, emphasizing the importance of addressing safety concerns in all areas of vehicle design and operation.
Our Reader’s Queries
What does concerns arise mean?
When worries have been expressed about something, it’s appropriate to use the phrase ‘concerns arise’ in written English. For instance, you can say ‘As the situation evolves, concerns arise over the safety of the public’ to express that there are worries about the safety of the public.
How do you use safety concern in a sentence?
According to him, the project would only be delayed if there were unforeseen safety issues. Unfortunately, due to safety concerns and cost, many other academic institutions turned down the proposal. The most significant safety concern was identified as heat stress. Initially, timber was the primary cargo, but fire became a significant safety concern.