PlusSmall Pickups Panned for SafetySmall Pickups Panned for SafetyThe Associated PressFor the first time, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has conducted side-tests for small pickups. The results were good for Toyota Tacoma, but 'dismal' for several other models. (July 23)WITH GAS PRICES RISING -- SMALL PICKUP TRUCKS ARE LOOKING LIKE A MORE ATTRACTIVE TRANSPORTATION OPTION.BUT ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY -- YOU'RE NOT LIKELY TO FIND MANY CHOICES WITH STATE OF THE ART CRASH PROTECTION. [Notes:SOT -- ADRIAN LUND/ PRES. INSURANCE INST. FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY] pickups may have a rough and tough image....but most of the small ones we tested aren't providing state of the art protection. [Notes:SOT -- ADRIAN LUND/INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY]THE INSTITUTE TESTED FIVE DIFFERENT MODELS -- THE TOYOTA TACOMA -- DODGE DAKOTA -- FORD RANGER -- NISSAN FRONTIER -- AND CHEVROLET COLORADO -- AND FOUND THE TOYOTA TACOMA TO BE THE BEST OF THE BUNCH. [Notes:SOT --ADRIAN LUND/PRES. INSURANCE INSTITUTE] 'the toyota tacoma was the exception in this group of vehicles...not only did it earn a good rating in frontal crash protection but it also got a good rating in our side impact tests...which simulates what happens if another suv or pickup runs into your side.THE 2008 TACOMA FEATURES OPTIONAL AIRBAGS.THEY'LL BE STANDARD ON 2009 MODELS WHICH WILL SOON GO ON SALE. [Notes:VO --PICKUP TRUCKS]THREE OTHER SMALL PICKUPS-- THE DODGE DAKOTA -- FORD RANGER -- AND NISSAN FRONTIER ALL RATED MARGINAL IN SIDE CRASH TESTS.THE CHEVROLET COLORADO FARED THE WORST -- WITH A POOR RATING. [Notes:SOT--ADRIAN LUND] To begin with...there was a lot of intrusion...well into the drivers survival space....the injury measures we recorded on the driver dummy showed a risk of internal organ injuries and multiple rib fractures. [Notes:VO--SIDE IMPACT VIDEO]THE INSTITUTE SAYS SIDE TESTS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE SIDE IMPACTS ARE THE SECOND MOST COMMON TYPE OF FATAL CRASH -- KILLING ABOUT 9 THOUSAND OCCUPANTS A YEAR. [Notes:VO--SHOTS OF TEST DRIVING AND VEHICLE STABILITY] IT'S ALSO ADVISING MOTORISTS TO BUY A PICK-UP WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL. TAKE A LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO VEHICLES. THE ONE ON THE BOTTOM HAS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL -- THE ONE ON TOP DOESN'T. [Notes:SOT -- ADRIAN LUND]E-S-C is a lifesaving feature...and you shouldn't buy a new vehicle without it. [Notes:VO--SHOTS OF VEHICLES] THE ONLY SMALL PICK-UPS THAT OFFER ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IN THIS GROUP ARE THE TACOMA AND THE FRONTIER.AND TOYOTA IS MAKING IT STANDARD STARTING IN 2009. ___ ___, The Associated Press. Author: AssociatedPress Keywords: crash tests pickups panned safety Added: July 24, 2008
