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Learn How to Avoid a Rollover Accident  Rollover crashes have a higher fatality rate than any other types of vehicle crashes and claim the lives of 10,000 people a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It only takes one person to cause or prevent a rollover. Almost all rollover crashes happen during routine driving conditions, not during severe road conditions or multi-vehicle crashes.
Distracted driving escalates the chances of rollover crashes, which often occur when drivers panic after veering out of a lane and overcorrect their steering. Overcorrecting at high speeds can cause drivers to lose control, leading to sideways sliding and a potential rollover.
- SUVs, pickups and vans have a higher center of gravity and are more vulnerable to rollover accidents.
- The vast majority of rollover fatalities happen when vehicles are traveling at posted highway speeds or faster. Speeding increases the risk.
- Nearly half of all rollover crashes involve an impaired driver. Drinking and driving is never a good idea -- and it's against the law!
- Wearing a seatbelt greatly improves your chances of surviving a rollover crash.
- Rollovers are more likely on rural highways with soft shoulders or ditches, so extra caution is needed when traveling beyond city highways, toll roads and streets.
To learn more about rollover crashes and how to prevent them, visit www.safercar.gov. To suggest safety ideas or ask safety questions related to NTTA roadways, email safety@ntta.org.
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