Automotive
IIHS publishes crash-avoidance results for heavy-duty pickups and cargo vans
Jalopnik reports that IIHS seatbelt-reminder checks on commercial vans and trucks produced mixed results, as 6,215 people died in 2024 crashes involving such vehicles.
The short version
- IIHS released results in June from its first evaluation comparing safety features on commercial vehicles.[Jalopnik]
- Among cargo vans, only the Ram ProMaster 2500 and Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 had effective driver seatbelt reminders.[Jalopnik]
- The Silverado 3500HD and F-350 passed the seatbelt reminder check, while the Ram 3500 did not.[Jalopnik]
- IIHS President David Harkey called the results a wake-up call and cited 6,215 deaths in 2024 crashes involving these vehicles.[Jalopnik]
Key facts
- In June, IIHS released results from its first evaluation focused on comparing safety features.[Jalopnik]
- Among cargo vans, the 2025 Ram ProMaster 2500 and 2025 Chevrolet BrightDrop 400 were the only models with effective driver seatbelt reminders.[Jalopnik]
- Of the trucks tested, the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and 2025 Ford F-350 passed the seatbelt reminder check, while the 2026 Ram 3500 did not.[Jalopnik]
- IIHS reported that 6,215 people were killed in 2024 in crashes involving heavy- or medium-duty vehicles or light vans, or 16% of U.S. roadway fatalities.[Jalopnik]
- IIHS President David Harkey said the results are a wake-up call for commercial vehicle makers, given the danger larger vans and trucks pose to other road users.[Jalopnik]
What remains uncertain
- Only Jalopnik is reporting these findings, so they have not been independently confirmed by other outlets.[Jalopnik]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.