Drivers of sport-utility vehicles are among the least likely to die in a crash and are far safer than those in small cars, according to a report out today by an insurance industry-funded safety group.

The marked improvement in SUV safety is largely due to the installation of electronic stability control, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Stability control, which uses brakes and engine power to keep vehicles on the road, was introduced more quickly on SUVs.

The death rate for SUV drivers dropped 66% from 82 per million vehicles for 1999-2002 models to 28 per million for 2005-2008 models.

But the news wasn't nearly as good for drivers of small cars, which have become more popular because of high gas prices.

The death rate for drivers of small, four-door cars was 72 per million vehicles for 2005-2008 models, down 35% from 110 per million in 1999-2002 models.

"The rollover risk in SUVs used to outweigh their size/weight advantage, but that's no longer the case," says Anne McCartt, the institute's senior vice president for research.

"It's a dramatic change and a testament to the incredible effectiveness of electronic stability control," she says.

bbauska wrote:For the record, I don't drive a SUV anymore.