Details of the new rule

The NHTSA's Standard 216 has required a vehicle's roof to withstand 1.5 times its weight in pressure when involved in a rollover accident for the past 35 years – which has been criticized by many consumer advocate groups as a standard that was severely outdated. The new standard requires a vehicle's roof to withstand three times its weight in pressure when involved in a rollover accident and allows injured consumers to sue manufactures in state court – a change from what had been proposed last year.

The NHTSA had proposed an update last year that would have increased the requirement to only 2.5 times, but the Bush Administration sought to add language that would have preempted injured consumers from suing manufactures in state court. Due to public outcry from certain members of Congress and consumer advocate groups, that standard was revised.

The way that vehicles are tested will also change – although many say that the new tests are still not good enough. The tests currently used are static, meaning that the vehicle remains stationary while a metal plate is pressed against it to see how it withstands pressure. While consumer advocates proposed a change to dynamic testing, meaning that the vehicle would be tested while moving to simulate a more real-life scenario, that proposal was rejected. While static testing will continue, the NHTSA says that both sides of the vehicle will now be tested instead of just one. In addition, heavier vehicles from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, which have never been regulated, must now have both sides of the roof capable of withstanding a force equal to 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle.

The phase-in schedule, which begins in September 2012, will be completed for all affected vehicles by the 2017 model year.

Rollover crashes kill 10,000 people every year

The NHTSA, says that the tougher roof crush requirements are part of a comprehensive plan to address rollover crashes, which kill about 10,000 people annually. That approach includes a mandated electronic stability control system, which helps prevent the rollover from occurring. Even with the new standards, the old adage that “accidents happen” remains true and injured car accident victims should always contact an experienced car accident attorney to discuss their situation and evaluate their options.