Sport utility vehicle drivers can reduce rollover risks by taking some precautions, says AAA Hawaii, responding to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concerns about the safety of SUVs. AAA Hawaii offers tips
on how to safely drive an SUV
Star-Bulletin staff
The national agency recently expressed concern about increased rollover risks and higher injury and fatality rates for collisions involving SUVs.
"Sport utility vehicles, minivans and pickups have different handling characteristics than cars," said AAA Hawaii manager Jeff Goldsmith.
"About half of the vehicles on the road today are a light truck of some kind, so it's more important than ever for owners of these vehicles to familiarize themselves with safe driving techniques."
A major difference between cars and larger vehicles, AAA Hawaii said, is stopping distance. SUVs can require a greater braking distance, especially in bad weather.
The center of gravity also is higher in light trucks than in most cars, which can increase the possibility of the driver losing control with sudden, jerky steering, it said.
SUVs use rear-wheel drive when the four-wheel drive is missing or not in use, and it can be more prone to skidding because of less weight,
The Auto Club suggests these techniques for SUV and other light-truck drivers:
>> Avoid a "road warrior" mentality. Don't ignore common rules of caution thinking you're protected by a bigger vehicle or four-wheel-drive traction, said Goldsmith. Overconfidence in your vehicle's abilities can lead to serious collisions, he said.>> Familiarize yourself with your SUV's performance to reduce the risk of a collision in bad weather. Practice driving in an open space while the pavement is slick to get used to the brakes, steering and overall handling.
>> Check to see if your SUV has anti-lock brakes, and, if it does, maintain firm and constant pressure on the brake pedal when making a quick stop.
>> Check your SUV mirrors to make sure they minimize blind spots on either side of the vehicle. Because of the SUV's width, the mirrors may require a more outward adjustment to spot smaller vehicles.
>> Be aware of all vehicles around in traffic, particularly smaller ones.
>> Review the owner's manual regarding your vehicle's handling characteristics and four-wheel-drive operation and performance if they apply.
