Remarks by David Champion, Director of Automotive Testing

NEW YORK (Jan. 31) – We would like to thank the Attorneys General for allowing us to be part of this important, national, safety campaign.

Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, has long been at the forefront of auto safety initiatives—including SUV safety.

SUVs can give the driver a false sense of invincibility. Their high driving position, large size, and quiet interiors make them very comfortable. The driver also has a feeling of being high above the road. You feel safe. But if you lose control of a large SUV, the vehicle can become very dangerous due to its weight and high center of gravity. SUVs are far more difficult to control in an emergency than other vehicles, which usually have a lower center of gravity.

We at Consumer Reports have tested many SUVs in emergency maneuvers and see big differences in how they handle. We believe that it’s critical for consumers to make informed decisions when going out to buy a new vehicle of any kind—but especially a new SUV.

Check the web site for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for rollover ratings. Don’t buy a vehicle if it’s tipped up in NHTSA’s tests. Check Consumer Reports, too. Safety is an integral part of all of our ratings.

And be sure to purchase a vehicle that’s equipped with Electronic Stability control, or ESC. This feature is now available on many SUVs and works in conjunction with the ABS braking system. If a vehicle is beginning to slide out of control, the system steps in and applies braking force to one or more wheels to bring the vehicle back into line and under control.

Many recent surveys have shown that this feature substantially reduces rollover crashes. Manufacturers offer stability control systems under a variety of names including Stabilitrak, AdvanceTrac, and even Dynamic Stability Traction Control. Be sure to know what you’re buying.

In addition, we have four safety recommendations for all SUV owners.

1. Check your tire pressure monthly. Tires are one of the most important and often neglected parts of any automobile. On SUVs, tires are even more important because of the vehicle’s increased rollover risk.

2. Always wear your safety belt. Wearing seatbelts can greatly reduce your risk of ejection from a vehicle during a rollover.

3. Don’t overload your SUV. When you add weight inside an SUV, or add a car-top carrier, you are raising its center of gravity and increasing the risk of the vehicle rolling over.

4. And finally, don’t speed. In an emergency situation, SUVs don’t respond as quickly or handle as predictably as a sedan.

For more information, I’d encourage you to visit Esuvee.com, ConsumerReports.org, and NHTSA.gov.