In an attempt to simulate real American car crashes, crash test dummies are being created a bit differently: they are gaining weight.

Chris O’Connor — CEO of Humanetics, the only U.S. manufacturer of dummies — said studies show obese drivers are 78 percent more likely to die in a car crash, as reported by WRTV.

The new large dummies have a body mass index of 35, well over the mark for obesity, which the National Institute of Health places at 30 or greater. In other words, they are at an average weight of 270 pounds.

O’Connor further explained that typically a person should have their rear end against the back of the seat with the seat belt snugly fit against the pelvis, but an obese person has more mass around their midsection which pushes their rear end out of the proper position. Air bags also have not until now been designed with the obese in mind.

“They sit further forward and the belt does not grasp the pelvis as easily,” he said. “We need to make cars safer for everyone, regardless of size,” especially as 70 percent of Americans are now overweight or obese, he said.

A study at the University at Buffalo and Erie County Medical Center used data from over 155,000 car crashes from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 2000 to 2005 to conclude those moderately obese had a 21 percent higher chance to die in a car crash, and the morbidly obese a 56 percent higher chance, than those within a healthy BMI.

The new models will not be ready for testing until next year.

Currently, regular crash-test dummies weigh about 167 pounds.