Gaps in the U.S. vehicle safety system make commercial vehicles riskier to both their drivers and to those they share the road with.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) plans to push manufacturers to build – and encourage fleets to demand – commercial vehicles that exceed existing safety requirements.
This year they began evaluating cargo vans and Class 3 pickups, which have a gross vehicle weight rating from 10,001 to 14,000 pounds. Occupant protection ratings for these vehicles will be released in the spring.