An IIHS study shows the death rate of drivers and passengers involved in a side impact collision with a pickup or SUV fell by almost half due to recent design changes. The changes consist of lowering SUVs and pickups by as little as half an inch and equipping them with hollow impact-absorbing bars below the front and rear bumpers.
Background
Jan NHTSA report found SUVs had highest death rate for own occupants of any vehicle class, largely due to high rollover rates
Vans had lowest death rate for occupants followed by cars, pickups, SUVs
Larger models in all classes rated safer than smaller models