For those who drive a small SUV, chances are high your headlights are fairly unhealthy.

The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security examined the headlights on 21 small SUVs, and none acquired the highest ranking of Good for lighting efficiency. Solely 4 have been even rated Acceptable.

The efficiency of headlights is important as a result of, in response to the Institute, about half of site visitors fatalities happen at night time or through the low-light hours of daybreak or nightfall. The report provides that headlights are sometimes ignored in favor of “jazzier high-tech collision avoidance options.”

In line with the Institute, headlights in luxurious vehicles don’t rating higher than common fashions. Even high-tech headlights, such because the adaptive headlights that flip with the entrance wheels, didn’t assure higher efficiency.

The one 4 small SUVs to obtain an 'Acceptable' ranking have been the Honda (HMC) CR-V, Mazda (MZDAF) CX-3, Hyundai (HYMTF) Tucson and the 2017 mannequin 12 months Ford (F) Escape.

And even these acceptable scores solely apply to particular variations of those fashions. For instance, the ranking solely applies to the Restricted model of the Hyundai Tucson. Different variations of the Tucson have headlights with a poor ranking.

Among the many dozens of SUVs that acquired a poor ranking have been the Audi (WOLVES) Q3, Stomach (GM) Encore, Honda HR-V and Subaru (FUJHY) Ranger. And none of these twelve fashions even provide higher headlights as an choice. The HR-V had the worst headlights of all.

Fiat Chrysler Cars, which makes Fiat and Jeep autos, Nissan and Honda all identified that their headlights meet or exceed all relevant security requirements. Kia and Common engines (GM) declined to remark.

The Insurance coverage Institute examined headlights on a check observe at night time. The lamps have been examined on straight stretches in addition to in curves to the left and proper.

Researchers examined how far the SUV's lights traveled and whether or not oncoming autos skilled extreme glare.

“SUV headlights are mounted increased than automobile headlights, so they typically should be aimed decrease,” says Matthew Brumbelow, senior analysis engineer on the Insurance coverage Institute. “As an alternative, a lot of them are aimed increased than the automobile headlights we've examined thus far.”

The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security is a personal group funded by auto insurers. It conducts its personal crash exams and different security exams that differ from these of the federal authorities's Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration.

CNNMoney (New York) First printed July 12, 2016: 12:01 am ET