10 tips for SUV safety

By Prakash Gandhi • Bankrate.com

SUV drivers may feel secure in their high-riding behemoths, but some critical equipment and driving changes -- along with a major attitude adjustment -- can jack up their safety level.

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Comprising some 12 percent of all vehicles on U.S. roads today, the SUV has become the poster-child for everything unsafe on the nation's highways -- from blowouts and rollovers to vision blockers and small-car crunchers.

But even as manufacturers strive to improve safety ratings, experts say, some simple steps can make SUV drivers and passengers much safer.

Steve Mazor, principal automotive engineer for the Automobile Club of Southern California, says SUV problems are not limited to the hardware -- operator error also plays a significant role.

"Drivers have got to avoid what I call a 'road warrior' mentality," explains Mazor. "Some SUV drivers believe they can ignore common rules of caution because they're protected by a bigger vehicle. What they seem to forget is that SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks have different handling characteristics and overconfidence on the part of drivers can lead to serious consequences."

That kind of overconfidence also stems from a common misconception that SUVs are safer than cars.

But the grim stats from crash studies indicate otherwise. Says Russ Rader, a spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Pound for pound -- when you compare SUVs with vehicles of a similar weight -- SUVs tend to be less safe than cars."

What's more, adds Kim Hazelbaker, senior vice president of the Highway Loss Data Institute, SUVs have a much greater propensity to roll over.

Here are 10 safety tips for SUV drivers:

Learn to drive it. Just because your state allows you to drive SUVs without added training doesn't mean you're qualified. Practice driving in an empty parking lot or other open space under different conditions to get used to the brakes, steering and overall handling.
Avoid sudden or sharp steering changes. Recognize an SUV is not designed to make fast, sharp turns, and it handles differently than a low-slung sports car or the family sedan.
Consider other drivers. While your driver's position may have been improved -- allowing you to see farther ahead -- drivers behind and alongside you can see much less. Drivers behind you cannot see 'through' your windshield, explains Hazelbaker. They are driving blind to a certain extent and have much less warning that you're going to stop -- making you more likely to be hit in the rear. Be aware of all the vehicles around you in traffic, especially the smaller ones.
Recognize visual limitations. Many SUVs are equipped with dark-tinted windows, making it difficult for an SUV driver to know what's traveling alongside or behind. Check your SUV's mirrors to make sure they minimize your blind spots on either side. Because of the SUV's width, the mirrors may require a more outward adjustment. The adjustment may also help to spot smaller vehicles more readily.
Brake better. SUVs often require greater braking distance than automobiles, especially in bad weather. Choose a vehicle with anti-lock brakes and use them properly -- maintaining firm and constant pressure on the brake pedal, not the 'pumping' technique for older vehicles.
Buckle up. It's clear that with the rollover issue, SUV drivers should be especially careful to wear seatbelts.
Slow down. Most people, not just those who own SUVS, drive too fast. Drive defensively. It gives you more time to react in an emergency.
Avoid overloads. Remember that cargo or even passengers further raise the center of gravity, so slow down even more when the vehicle is full.
Don't carry too much weight. Overloading also causes wear and tear to brakes, and can overheat tires, increasing the risk of a blowout.
Maintain regularly. Have the vehicle serviced periodically and pay close attention to your tires and tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can contribute to blowouts.