Presently, big rigs in Ohio and across the country are required to have rear impact guards fastened to back of trailers. These rear impact guards are designed to are designed to prevent cars from sliding underneath the trailer in the event of a rear-end truck accident. However, a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows that the rear impact guards may not be working.

The consequences for motorists who crash with and slide under a trailer can be severe. Possible injuries include head and facial injuries, paralysis, and even decapitation. Each year, more than 350 Americans are killed in truck underride accidents.

The IIHS recently put rear impact guards to the test. The institute crashed a 2010 Chevy Malibu into the back of parked trailers at 35 miles per hour. The rear impact guards that met minimum U.S. safety standards failed, gave away, and the Malibu slid underneath the trailer. The trailer crashed through the windshield and crushed the vehicle and the crash test dummies inside. Even at the moderate speed of 35 miles per hour, these accidents would have been fatal if the vehicles were occupied by human beings instead of crash test dummies.

Canada requires rear impact guards to be 75 percent stronger than the minimum strength required in the U.S. In the IIHS tests, the guards made to Canadian specifications stayed intact and prevented the vehicle from sliding underneath the trailer.

Unfortunately, it can take a long time for trucking safety regulations to change. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a statement saying the agency is aware of the issue and first identified the problem in 2009 and has been studying the problems with rear impact guards since then. It expects to complete its review sometime next year. However, the last time rear underride standards were raised, the standards needed 20 years to be fully implemented.

Source: ABC News, "Truck Underride Accidents: Drivers Endangered When Cars Slide Under Trailers," 3/1/2011