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Safety advocates caution an increase in RVs could create greater safety issues
December 3, 2004
About seven million U.S. households own RVs, and one million are considered a primary residence, according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. In the first half of 2004, 196,200 RVs and trailers were shipped, compared to 163,500 during the first half of 2003.
The increase in motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, and trailers are concerning auto safety groups who say the quality of the products "are not up to par," according to Connie Gallant, president of the grass roots RV Consumer Group. Gallant estimates 60 percent of the models currently on the market are lacking.
The group polls vehicle owners about their satisfaction and rates makes and models based on those interviews. Out of 300 manufacturers of RVs and trailers, just over a dozen have products worthy of four or five star-ratings, according to Gallant. The star ratings are based on a scale of one to five.
Potential problems exist especially in lower priced motor homes and trailers because Gallant says the walls can fall apart upon impact and the force can cause loosened wall attachments to go flying. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says motor homes and trailers are subject to certain federal standards, so if a potential RV defect exists it is investigated.
The NHTSA reported less than one out of every 1,000 crashes involved a motor home, trailer or camper in 2003, but the increase in larger vehicles on the roadways is troubling. A larger vehicle requires more caution when operating, including more space to make turns or stops that can require advanced planning of routes. In addition, drivers in a large vehicle often lack a rear view and may have blind spots that do not exist in automobiles.
Safety caution goes not only for the people driving the large vehicles, but also for people in cars that should give a wider distance to RVs, and people towing trailers since the skill of the driver is unknown.For more information on crashworthiness and seat belt failures and safety, contact us to confer with an attorney.
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