Sports utility vehicles are not as dangerous as had been thought, according to a Wellington School of Medicine researcher.
Senior research fellow Michael Keall says an analysis of 17,000 crashes in 2005 and 2006 suggests SUVs are not generally dangerous unless an inexperienced person is driving.
Dr Keall says the results are surprising because it is well known that the vehicles are more prone to rollover crashes, and when they crash they cause more damage to other drivers and pedestrians than other vehicles.
However he says SUVs are less often involved in crashes than might have been expected.
But the editor of the Dog and Lemon vehicle buyers guide, Clive Matthew-Wilson, says the research does not differentiate between different kinds of SUV.
He says vehicles made between 1975 and the late 1990's that are large, designed for off-road use and do not have electronic stability control are the least safe.
