Pick-up
truck occupants are over-represented in motor vehicle crashes. There
were 5,801 pick-up truck occupant deaths in year 2004. 1,782 of these
deaths occurred in the Southeast alone. Unfortunately, many of deaths
could have been prevented simply by putting on a safety belt.
Rollover
Over 10,600 people across the U.S. died in rollover crashes in year
2002. Because occupant ejection is most prone in a rollover crash, this
type of crash event is the most injurious and most deadly. Sixty-two
percent of all fatalities in rollover crashes are related to occupant
ejection. Compared to passenger cars, pick-up trucks are twice as likely
to rollover than passenger cars. The best way to protect oneself from
ejection in a rollover crash is to wear a safety belt. NHTSA estimates
safety belts reduce the risk of dying in a rollover crash by 60 to 70
percent.
Rural/Urban
Fatal crashes involving pick-up trucks are nearly twice as likely
to occur in rural areas compared to urban areas. Rural pick-up truck
drivers are less likely to use safety belts than pick-up truck drivers
in urban and suburban areas. (Source: NHTSA 2002).
Gender and Age
Safety Belt rates are lower for males compared to females in all
vehicle types. Pick-up truck occupants killed in crashes are most often
male (83%) and most often between the ages of 18 and 39 years old. (more)
