I'm all for safety. I emphasize safety at my workplace. But at the rate we're going we'll all be driving tanks before long. Safety, emissions and economy have really driven costs up for all vehicles.

@Jerry i agree. Safety, Power, Cost. Pick 2! the government is forcing every thing on us, with no regard for price.

It sounds like Chrysler/Dodge does not have torso bags. You would think after the marginal rating in 2009 that they would have added it. With NHTSA turning it up a notch, this could be a big problem for Ram's overall rating.

ford 150 king cab,,every time you shut the 3 door the cab shack tell me what is the problem,this is not normal..

I agree the goverment is driving the cost up and making people think they are safer and so they drive more stupidor(I made that word up). All these regulations drive the weight of the vehicle up which makes the gas mileage go down. The 1993 Grand Cherokee weighed 3,600 pounds, the 2001 that was redesigned with light weight transmission drive shaft and axles weighed 4,200 pounds, and the 2011 that they made 2inches wider weighs 4,800 pounds, all due to safer features and gas mileage has increased from 1993 to 2011 with the hi-tech engine 1 measly mpg.

Want to make driving safer? Train drivers. Its simple. Its fine to make cars safer but if there is still idiots driving them they are still damgerous no matter how many stars you give them. Not sure what the procedure in the states but in Canada all you have to do is read through a book and use that info to pass a driving test (assuming you have your learners). When its time to renew the licence just bring cash! You passed the test once so you must still know how to drive right? What a joke. If I had a dollar for everytime I encountered a stupid driver I could buy a helicopter and fly where ever I needed to go.

@ Jordan L - agreed.
Driving is often the most dangerous and complex skill people perform and they have to do it everyday.
How about manditory driver's licence retesting every 5 years? and it has to be a legitimate skills test.

no thanks. keep the government out of it. i don't want to live in a nanny state. i am very good driver!

all dodge had to do was put in the torso bag. they had enough time but decided to put in the $2500 fishing rod holder. if chevy who isnt known for their interiors can come come out with a torso then so should have dodge ram. ram made their bed.

Statistics show driving skills:
3 - 5 % good to excellent
63 % average
33% fair to poor

The ones in the 3-5% range are usually professional drivers or drivers who have received advanced driver training.

33% should not have a drivers licence.

It is easier for governments to force manufacturers to improve vehicle safety than to force drivers to improve skills or revoke licences.

It would be political suicide to cancel the licence of one(1) out of three(3) drivers on the road.

Think about that fact, say it over and over again - 1 out of 3 drivers should NOT have a licence!

@ Lou You just pointed out the biggest problem with Canada and the US. We want it so it becomes a right. There are so many things that fall into the same category. Everyine would agree that smoking is bad for your health. It costs billions of dollars to deal with the health concequences. So instead of banning cigs, Gov makes it illegal to smoke anywhere. But no politicain will ever grow a set and do what is needed to make things better. Oh well. We get what we deserve.

@ Jordan L - correct. We think driving is a right.
NO.
It is a privilege we earn.
Even if it were a right, rights do not come without responsibility.
We are responsible to use our rights wisely and not to the detriment of ourselves or others.