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In a unique risk analysis study, a researcher from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab collaborated with a researcher from the University of Michigan to prove that, contrary to popular belief, vehicle quality is a far more essential safety factor than weight for drivers of vehicles involved in a crash.

The report states: ‘Most cars are safer than the average sports utility vehicle [SUV], while pickup trucks are much less safe than all other types. Minivans and import luxury cars have the safest records’.

‘SUVs are no safer for their drivers than the average midsize or large car and not much safer than many of the most popular compact and subcompact car models. Drivers of pickup trucks are at even greater risk than drivers of SUVs. When the combined risk is considered, SUVs and pickup trucks are revealed to be significantly more dangerous than just about any car’.