Arlington, VA — Now available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: occupant safety ratings for cargo vans and other types of trucks used for work.
IIHS announced the evaluations on June 9 after Vice President of Vehicle Research David Kidd wrote in March that the organization intended to develop ratings for cargo vans and Class 3 pickups weighing between 10,001 and 14,000 pounds.
Crashes involving heavy- or medium-duty trucks or light vans led to more than 6,500 deaths in 2023, IIHS says, representing 16% of roadway fatalities nationwide.
IIHS already provides ratings for passenger vehicles. However, Kidd wrote in March that it was expanding its focus in an effort to address “gaps in the U.S. vehicle safety system.”
In a press release, IIHS says that “many government standards for passenger vehicles don’t apply to delivery vans, box trucks, tractor-trailers and certain work pickups.” As a result, various features that many people consider “basic” – such as airbags – aren’t required.
Among the first nine vehicles IIHS evaluated, only four are equipped with features it considers “essential for driver protection.” These include standard front and side airbags, advanced seat belt technology, and effective seat belt reminders.
IIHS said it will move on to assessing the same vehicles for features such as automatic emergency braking and headlights that can protect other road users. Additionally, the organization is beginning to plan evaluations for Class 4-6 trucks weighing 14,001-26,000 pounds.
“For decades, IIHS has helped consumers prioritize safety in their car-buying decisions,” IIHS President David Harkey said in the release. “These initial evaluations mark our first foray into commercial vehicles, which for too long have been an afterthought when it comes to regulations and safety information.”
