IIHS: Death Rates High for Those Driving Small Cars

The smallest late-model cars remain the most dangerous, according to recent driver death rates calculated by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.
May 28, 2020

May 28, 2020—The smallest late-model cars remain the most dangerous, according to recent driver death rates calculated by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

Small cars and minicars accounted for 15 of the 20 models with the highest death rates for 2017, while nearly half of the 20 models with the lowest death rates were luxury SUVs.

“Smaller vehicles offer less protection for the driver in crashes, and their lighter mass means that they take the brunt of collisions with larger vehicles,” noted Joe Nolan, IIHS senior vice president of vehicle research.

Very large SUVs have smallest overall death rate of any vehicle category, with 15 fatalities per million registered vehicle years. Minicars have the highest, at 82. The average driver death rate for all 2017 models increased slightly, to 36 deaths, compared with 30 for 2014 models.

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Latest in Topics

DCPB-17
Doug Voelzke, owner of Doug's Custom Paint and Body and a co-founder of Key Choice Collision Centers, discusses the importance of having support in the collision repair industry...
May 4, 2021
_PC_VehReview
Steve Leal, of ProColor Collision, demystifies one of the most vexing industry issues and its ramifications for the aftermarket industry.
May 1, 2021
suzanne-d-williams-VMKBFR6r_jg-unsplash-1
Brandon VanEck, chief operations officer for three Car Center Collision & Mechanical locations and Scott's Body Shop, discusses his passion for growing people, why it's good for...
April 27, 2021