There is no doubt about it – research shows that car accidents are one of the biggest contenders of personal injuries in the United States each year. While driver conduct is largely responsible for this, the car you drive may have something to do with it, as well. It only makes sense that the safer your car, the less likely you are to suffer injuries in accidents.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released their list of top vehicle safety picks for 2015. This list often influences the decisions people make as they purchase a new car and for good reason. The peace of mind that a safe vehicle brings is well-worth the research it took to decide.
According to the IIHS, fewer car accident fatalities occurred in 2012, simply because of safety improvements made to vehicles since 1985. Air bags throughout the vehicle, including driver, passenger, and side ones, have made all the difference in survival rates for car crashes.
Did your vehicle make the list?
In order to qualify as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, a vehicle must acquire good reviews in multiple tests, such as the moderate overlap front test, the roof strength test, and the head restraint test. The IIHS noted that larger, heavier vehicles are generally safer than those that are smaller and weigh less.
Some of the cars included on the Top Safety Pick List are:
- Honda Fit
- Toyota Avalon
- Kia Sedona
- Subaru Forester
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Ford Fusion
- GMC Terrain
Many of these vehicles have the lowest driver death rate with less than six driver deaths per one million registered vehicles. Highest driver death rate vehicles have over 46 driver deaths per one million – a significant jump. These dangerous cars include the Kia Rio, the Nissan Cube, and the Hyundai Accent.
Choosing a vehicle is a big decision and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Next time you're in the market for a new car, ask yourself – did it make the list?