Washington, D.C ? Design changes in sport utility vehicles and pickups have reduced deaths in cars struck by the large vehicles, a study says.

The number of deaths of car drivers caught in side-impact crashes with SUVs dropped nearly 50 percent when automakers lowered the height of SUVs or added impact-absorbing bars below the front bumpers, according to the report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Automakers agreed in 2003 to improve the compatibility of vehicles amid concerns that SUVs and pickups dangerously ride up atop cars in crashes and threaten passenger compartments.