IIHS Roof Crush

IIHS has announced that, beginning in September of 2009, their 2010 TOP SAFETY PICK program will include an assessment of vehicle roof strength. According to IIHS, the decision to address roof strength is based on studies conducted by the Institute which found that increasing vehicle roof strength has the potential to reduce the risk of fatal or incapacitating injuries by over twenty percent. IIHS will base its roof strength assessment on the current federal roofcrush standard found in FMVSS 216, however, it will be considerably more stringent relative to earning a "good" rating. A "good" rating will require a peak strength-to-weight (SWR) ratio of 4.0 within 5 inches of plate travel. IIHS says it will complete front, side, rear and roof strength evaluation of small SUVs (nonluxury), midsize cars (nonluxury), and minicars this year and will test by request other 2010 models identified by manufacturers as TOP SAFETY PICK candidates.