With Gas prices soaring to over $4 a gallon, US consumers are looking to downsize their mode of transportation. Sales of compacts, sedans and other cars jumped 3 percent in June compared with a 19 percent drop for less efficient SUVs and pickups, according to Ward's Automotive Group. In 1970, when the last fuel driven consumer shift to smaller vehicles occurred, serious injuries and more importantly, the death rate spiked.

While the smaller cars today have more safety features then they did in the 70’s, you are still much safer in bigger cars. This will be watched very closely by the P&C insurance industry to determine appropriate premium measures.