Why should drivers take the time to learn about crash tests and their results? Because the testing done each year by groups like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has helped to bring highway deaths in 2009 down to just 37,000. That’s the fewest fatalities since 1961, marking tremendous progress in the campaign for better vehicular safety.
This is especially important as consumer tastes are leading manufacturers to make smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. In 2004, 70% of the vehicles sold by Ford were heavy trucks or SUVs. Last year, 60% of the company’s sales were in mid-sized sedans and the signature Ford on display at the Detroit auto show currently going on in Detroit is a compact, the Focus.
As Americans embrace smaller cars, they need to be aware of the safety performance those vehicles return. The Smart ForTwo is a darling with the fuel conscious, but it’s one of the smallest cars on American roadways. Surprisingly, IIHS testing awarded the car four stars for frontal crashes and five for side impact. Obviously a car that small won’t emerge unscathed from an impact, but the important question is how will the driver fare.
The Internet is playing a key role in dispensing more graphic crash test results, with videos available that show exactly what happened to the vehicle on impact. Being able to see the test adds real-life meaning to the standard star rating system and gives consumers a better gauge on which to base their decisions. Personal comfort levels matter as much as statistics. If even the best-rated car doesn’t feel safe to you, it’s not the car you need to be driving.
Some of the best crash testing is conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA site offers a wealth of statistical data as well as analysis results. Taking the time to learn about crash testing and incorporating that information into your car buying decisions is one of the smartest moves consumers can make as cars become lighter, more fuel-efficient, and smaller.