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Driving Environment
You can also help avoid a rollover or other
type of crash by being prepared for driving in
inclement weather, at night, or during other times
where visibility or traction may be limited, such
as on curves, slippery roads, or hilly terrain.
Unfamiliar surroundings can also have hidden
hazards.
To help you learn more about driving in different
conditions, this section contains information
about city, freeway, and off-road driving,
as well as other hints for driving in various
weather conditions.
Vehicle Design
According to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, utility vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
Utility vehicles do have higher ground clearance
and a narrower track or shorter wheelbase than
passenger cars, to make them more capable
for off-road driving. Specific design characteristics
like these give the driver a better view of the
road, but also give utility vehicles a higher center
of gravity than other types of vehicles. This means
that you should not expect a utility vehicle to
handle the same way a vehicle with a lower center
of gravity, like a car, would in similar situations.
But driver behavior factors are far more often
the cause of a utility vehicle rollover than are
environmental or vehicle factors. Safe driver
behavior and understanding the environment
in which you will be driving can help avoid
a rollover crash in any type of vehicle, including
utility vehicles.
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