Selecting a safer new vehicle is a lot easier than it used to be. Most new cars, minivans, pickup trucks and SUVs earn high marks in front and side crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some models still need improvement when it comes to protecting people in rollovers and rear crashes. So how is a safety-conscious buyer to choose?
According to the IIHS and NHTSA, whether you are in the market for a new or used vehicle, here are some important things to consider:
• Vehicle size and weight matter
Smaller, lighter vehicles generally offer less protection than larger, heavier ones. There is less structure to absorb crash energy, so deaths and injuries are more likely. People in lighter vehicles also experience higher crash forces when struck by heavier vehicles. If safety is a major consideration, pass up very small, light vehicles.
• A crashworthy design reduces death and injury risk
Structure and restraints help determine crashworthiness. Good structure means a strong occupant compartment, crumple zones to absorb the force of a serious crash, side structure to manage the force of a striking vehicle or struck object and a strong roof that won’t collapse in a rollover. Safety belts keep people in their seats and spread crash forces across the upper body’s stronger bony parts. Airbags protect people from hitting things inside the vehicle or objects outside it.
To get safety ratings on a variety of makes and models, please go to iihs.org/ratings.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries and property damage — from crashes on the nation’s roads.
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