> and how are SUVs not safer, given they have more mass and a larger crunch zone?
That helps in a head on collission with a smaller car. But it's even safer if you don't collide with anything in the first place.
SUVs have longer breaking distance because of their mass, and because they are higher they don't corner as well and are at higher risk of tipping over.
These factors increase the risk of dangerous accidents versus a normal car.
Also, around 50% of lethal accidents don't involve a second car at all. If you crash into a concrete wall, or if you run off the road, it doesn't matter that your car is bigger, you are still screwed.
The safest car is the one that doesn't get into an accident in the first place, and bigger cars are not necessarily better in that regard.
That helps in a head on collission with a smaller car. But it's even safer if you don't collide with anything in the first place.
SUVs have longer breaking distance because of their mass, and because they are higher they don't corner as well and are at higher risk of tipping over.
These factors increase the risk of dangerous accidents versus a normal car.
Also, around 50% of lethal accidents don't involve a second car at all. If you crash into a concrete wall, or if you run off the road, it doesn't matter that your car is bigger, you are still screwed.
The safest car is the one that doesn't get into an accident in the first place, and bigger cars are not necessarily better in that regard.