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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a car will keep me safe in a crash?
The most important thing to do is develop a mindset of avoiding accidents, rather than protecting against them. Too often, if you focus on a problem, you'll end up with one. Try to visualize accident causing situations and come up with a proper reaction. Better yes, take a defensive driving class. We can all benefit from expert instruction. Most accidents are caused by drivers. So step #1 is: Be the very best driver you can be. Don't drive distracted, tired, angry or under the influence of anything. he best crash protection is not to have one in the first place.
Almost every car sold today has undergone stringent tests, and there are very few bad cars. Choose a car that handles well and that you are comfortable driving. Sport Utility Vehicles give folks a false sense of safety because they are very large, appear to be sturdy and provide good forward visibility becaues they are higher than other vehicles. But that doesn't actually provide protection. Tall vehicles have high centers of gravity and are more likely to tip over.
SUVs are involved in many more accidents because of poor handling, and are much more likely to tip over than a sedan. SUVs have poor side and rear visibility. Because of this they get involved in more accidents with vehicles because they are lost in blind spots.
This is compounded by people driving these trucks as if they were passenger sedans, coupes or sports cars. This is the same with pickup trucks. Because they are work vehicles they do not need to meet the same safety standards as passenger cars. They are also meant to be driven with heavy loads in them and at much slower speeds than we drive our passenger cars. The drivers of them make them more dangerous.
While it is the case that SUV drivers will fare better in a crash, the people they hit do not. This means high insurance rates, more injuries and deaths, making these vehicles more costly choices. It may seem like a good idea to fare better in a crash than whomever you hit, or hits you. But if you take into account that SUV drivers get in more accidents the drivers of them may be exposed to more dangerous situations than drivers of passenger sedans.
Match your car to your needs. Many smaller cars are just as safe as the larger varieties and are more nimble, providing better stopping and swerving to avoid accidents. As recent headlines have hinted, but not emphasized nearly enough, good tires, properly inflated and in good condition, are essential to good safety -- they are the vehicle's only contact with the road. Get a tire gauge and make sure every driver of your vehicles knows what to look for and how to use a pressure gauge...and use it often!
Carefully evaluate your driving skills and habits. More accidents are caused by inattention than any other reason. Professional driving schools, not just for racing drivers, can offer an evaluation of your abilities and give you suggestions on how to improve at a far smaller cost than a more expensive car -- or any accident.
The most important safety accessory is the seat belt. Make sure they are worn by everyone in your car every time it is in motion. Make sure children have proper child seats or boosters so they can get the full benefit of the restraint systems. Make sure those restraint systems are installed properly. If you are unsure about proper installation, visit our safety section for more information. You can also ask a police officer or the AAA to check your installation.
Antilock Braking Systems are great aids, as are stability systems, and these are not included in most crash test evaluations. If you have them, make sure you know how to use them to your advantage. If a smaller person is one of the drivers, look for a car with adjustable pedals so the driver's air bag does not cause injuries from the driver being too close to the point of impact. Every driver's chest should be at least 10" away from the center of the steering wheel. Side air bags are great aids in side collisions, but by far the best secondary air bag is the head curtains.
Although the NHTSA and IIHS crash test ratings are useful to help you separate safer vehicles from those that are unsafe, they are not absolute. Both are simplistic and biased. Purchasing a car with a 4 or 5 star rating will definitely help you to be safer. Without driving carefully and without having your full attention on driving while you're doing it, you'll never be safe.
Read the article "Buying A Safer Car 2001" from NHSTA. While all vehicles must pass rigorous safety standard testing or they face being recalled, the crash tests are not absolute judges of vehicle safety. They are, however, good bellweathers. NHTSA collects defect complaints and enforces the law requiring vehicles with defects to be recalled and fixed. Another good read is "Crash Test Ratings From NHTSA and the IIHS" by Sandra Kinsler. This will give you all the information you need to determine the safety level of your vehicle or the one you are considering purchasing. Also, make sure to read the New Car Buying Guide or the Used Car Buying Guide, depending on whether you are getting a new or used vehicle. They both provide information on buying safer cars.
