NHTSA to Require Stronger Roofs
2009 May 6
This Blog discusses roof strength, roof crush, and rollovers frequently. For example, I have posted previously regarding roof crush here, here, and here. Recently, the Obama Administration has acted to improve the strength of vehicle roofs. “For the first time in more than three decades the federal government will require automakers to make the roofs of passenger cars and most light trucks stronger — much stronger,” begins a recent New York Times article. This is a positive step in making vehicles safer.
According to the Wall Street Journal:
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Thursday unveiled the new rules, which dictate that roofs must be able to withstand a force equal to three times the weight of the vehicle for cars and light trucks weighing 6,000 pounds or less. Vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds must have a roof-crush resistance equal to 1.5 times their weight, the first time many trucks and heavy sport-utility vehicles will be subject to such a requirement. The rules will be phased in over five years, starting in 2012.
This improves on the current standard requiring a roof to withstand pressure equal to one and a half times the vehicle’s curb weight, and according to NHTSA, the new roof standard is likely to save 135 lives and prevent 1,065 injuries annually.
Some consumer advocate groups do not believe the change is enough. Jacqueline Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, a consumer group, called the standard “wholly inadequate to protect most of the people who are injured or killed by roof crush in rollover crashes.” One thing is for certain, this does make roofs safer. While it may not go far enough, it is movement in the right direction.
