Large Pickups Fare Poorly In Crash Tests

WASHINGTON (AP) - Tests find that three large workhorse pickup
trucks are not providing good protection in side crashes.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives low marks to
the 2009 versions of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500
and Nissan Titan in side crash tests results being released
Wednesday.
The Ram, equipped with standard side air bags, earned the
second-lowest score of marginal. The Titan and Silverado received
the lowest mark of poor when tested without optional side air bags.
When the two trucks were tested with the optional safety
equipment, the Titan improved to marginal while the Silverado
continued to receive a poor rating.
For the test, the vehicle is struck in the side by a barrier
moving at 31 miles per hour. The barrier mimics the front end of a
pickup or SUV.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)