We all know that seat belts help prevent serious injuries in the event of an accident. Pickup trucks
are some of the best-selling vehicles on the road and some of the worst crash statistics of riders who don’t buckle up. Is there an opportunity to improve safety here? Even if it annoys drivers to no end?
Jerry, the car ownership super app
, looks into the newly developed Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) test, and what safety measures to consider when buying a pickup. The new safety test for pickup trucks
In March, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a new test for seat belt reminder alarms. The organization discovered that only two out of 26 tested SUVs scored a “Good” rating for seat belt reminders.
When it came to pickup trucks, the trustworthy Toyota Tundra was the only one out of 10 to earn a “Good” rating.
When it comes to accident statistics on a national level, pickup truck drivers and occupants are actually less likely to use a seatbelt than drivers of other types of vehicles.
The IIHS speculates that more effective seat belt alarms could prevent about 1,500 deaths each year, by increasing seatbelt use by 34 percent.
If a car is driving faster than 6 mph, federal regulations require a visual signal and audible tone to warn drivers to buckle up. A smaller alert is typically included for the front passenger seat as well.
To pass the IIHS test with flying colors, your car’s warning tone needs to be audible for at least 90 seconds and heard over background noise. The rear seats require a visual alert and a tone that’s at least 30 seconds long.
Pickup trucks that missed the mark
When it came to the IIHS’ most stringent requirements for pickup trucks, the Toyota Tundra hit it out of the park. The Hyundai Santa Cruz and the long-awaited Nissan Frontier earned an “Acceptable” rating due to their lack of back-seat reminders.
The Toyota Tacoma and the Ram 1500 both scored “Marginal,” while the rest of the bunch received the safety organization’s lowest rating, “Poor.” The Ford Maverick, F-150, Ranger and Chevy Silverado, and Colorado all had seat belt reminder alarms that last under eight seconds.
The IIHS focus on how the front seat belt reminders perform and if rear seat belt reminders are also available. To calculate the Rear-Seat Safety Score, Consumer Reports consider overall performance, Head restraints, advanced seat belt and airbag availability, as well as child safety.
Seat belt reminders are designed to be annoying—it’s what makes them effective. Even if you feel safer in a pickup truck or larger vehicle, you’re still risking your life if you don’t buckle up.
MORE: 11 Sporty Trucks We Love
Insuring your pickup truck
Once you’re buckled up for your next adventure, make sure you’re also protected by the best car insurance on the market.
Contrary to popular belief, awesome coverage doesn’t have to break the bank. Did you know most Americans are overpaying for their policy every month? Don’t let that be you.
If you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, download the Jerry
app. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy. The average Jerry driver saves $800 a year. 
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