Insurance institute sez: heavier is safer
There was quite an argument going on about this on another thread, but as the title to this article shows: Physics rules: link F-350 is the safest vehicle on the road
Forum Discussion
Having done a lot of crash research (not insurance related), trucks have higher crash rates but lower injury severity.
They tend to be less likely to be involved in multi-vehicle accidents. The prevailing assumption is this is due to the higher driver eye height (ie: In my F250, I can see past the SUV in front of me and see the car ahead that is braking before the SUV brake lights come on. In a low slung sports car, I have a lovely view of the SUV's rear axle and have no knowledge of what is happening ahead of the SUV.)
When they are involved in multi-vehicle crashes, well....they win.
On the other hand, they tend to be more likely to be involved in single vehicle roll over crashes due to thier high center of gravity.
I haven't looked into this recently but at one time, this was associated with young testosterone filled men being the predominant 1/2 ton truck driver. 3/4 & 1 ton trucks were usually driven by more seasoned guys and I would expect lower crash rates. I notice a couple of 1/2 tons on the list and wonder if young guys can't afford the gas bill that comes with the V8 1/2 ton trucks so they are shifting towards the more seasoned guys driving them. The 1/2 ton trucks definetly still win out against an econo-box.
I believe most insurance company's want to put semi-tractors into commercial policies, so that is likely why they aren't included on this list of passenger vehicles (yeah, 3/4 & 1 ton trucks are a gray area but the bulk are owned and operated by private citizens).
They tend to be less likely to be involved in multi-vehicle accidents. The prevailing assumption is this is due to the higher driver eye height (ie: In my F250, I can see past the SUV in front of me and see the car ahead that is braking before the SUV brake lights come on. In a low slung sports car, I have a lovely view of the SUV's rear axle and have no knowledge of what is happening ahead of the SUV.)
When they are involved in multi-vehicle crashes, well....they win.
On the other hand, they tend to be more likely to be involved in single vehicle roll over crashes due to thier high center of gravity.
I haven't looked into this recently but at one time, this was associated with young testosterone filled men being the predominant 1/2 ton truck driver. 3/4 & 1 ton trucks were usually driven by more seasoned guys and I would expect lower crash rates. I notice a couple of 1/2 tons on the list and wonder if young guys can't afford the gas bill that comes with the V8 1/2 ton trucks so they are shifting towards the more seasoned guys driving them. The 1/2 ton trucks definetly still win out against an econo-box.
I believe most insurance company's want to put semi-tractors into commercial policies, so that is likely why they aren't included on this list of passenger vehicles (yeah, 3/4 & 1 ton trucks are a gray area but the bulk are owned and operated by private citizens).
