Buying a Car for Safety

Safety is on the mind of consumers. While auto manufacturers are designing safer vehicles and coming up with better occupant protection devices, consumers should do their part and identify vehicles that meet their needs and are safe.

"Buying a safer car can protect you in the event of a crash," says Kathy Konicki, Director of Safety for Nationwide. "You can do everything in your power to avoid a crash, but they sometimes happen."

Konicki advises consumers to do research before they purchase a new vehicle. One resource is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) crash test database. It compiles results from IIHS's crash tests, and allows consumers to search vehicles by make and model and compare results of vehicles in the same weight class. You can access the database on the Internet at www.highwaysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm.

Konicki says even without research, focusing on the following factors can help identify a safer car.

• Structural design- A good structural design is key to protecting you in a serious crash. Front and rear ends that are designed to buckle and bend in serious crashes to absorb the forces of the crash help keep the damage away from the occupant compartment where you are.
  
• Vehicle size and weight- Larger, heavier vehicles tend to be safer than smaller, lighter ones. They have longer crush zones, which helps lower the forces of the crash inside the vehicle. Heavier vehicles push the lighter ones backwards, increasing the forces in the lighter vehicle. Remember, driving a big vehicle doesn't make you immune from crashes and injury- you are still at risk. You also become a greater risk to other drivers.
  
• Restraint systems- Seat belts, airbags and head restraints offer valuable protection in crashes. Make sure these safety features are comfortable. Get inside the car and test the seat belt- if it's not comfortable, you'll be tempted to not wear it. The head restraints should be positioned directly behind and close to the back of your head and lock into place.
  
• Crash avoidance features- Daytime running lights make vehicles more visible to oncoming drivers. Features such as traction control and four-wheel-drive can improve performance in certain conditions, although whether they prevent crashes is unclear. Look for features that help you and other drivers see one another.
  
• Safety first- Avoid following trends and purchasing a vehicle just because of its style or because it's the trendiest model. Include safety features in your purchase evaluation. The safety of you and your loved ones is more important than having the hot vehicle of the season.

"Having a safer vehicle is just as important as driving safe," says Konicki. "Keep these safety differences in mind when shopping for your next vehicle."

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