COMMENTS ON THE PAPER ROLLOVERS AND SERIOUS DRIVER INJURY DIFFERENCES AMONG VARIOUS UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER CAR GROUPS

A critique of the epidemiological study entitled, Rollover and Serious Driver Injury Differences Among Various Utility Vehicle, Pickup Truck and Passenger Car Groups, by Reinfurt, O'Neill et al. is presented and supported by data. The Reinfurt-O'Neill study used an admittedly inadequate exposure measure (registered vehicle years) and did not adequately control for non-vehicle factors influencing accidents and injuries. Using published information and accident data from the Fatal Accident Reporting System, the critique shows that there are important differences between passenger cars and utility vehicles, and among utility vehicles in terms of drivers and driving conditions. Because Reinfurt and O'Neill do not control for such factors, their study does not permit comparisons among vehicle groups that would show vehicle specific differences influencing accident, rollover, or injury risk.