When car shopping, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. The large amount of information regarding different makes and models’ warranties, insurance rates and fuel economies can get confusing. But, good news for you: there’s really one important factor to consider when choosing your new vehicle. Although not often considered by most car buyers, this crucial feature can mean the difference between life or death in an automobile accident.

Make a Vehicle’s Safety Ratings Your #1 Consideration!

When choosing a vehicle for you and your family, a vehicle’s safety ratings should be at the top of your priorities. No matter how good of a driver you may be, navigating the roads can be dangerous. When an accident happens, your best chances of surviving unscathed will be in a vehicle that is known for providing a high level of safety.

CNN recently discussed a report released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that identified 11 various cars and SUVs in which no deaths occurred over a four-year period (2012 – 2015). The safest vehicles were:

• Audi Q7 SUV
• Volkswagen(VLKAF) Tiguan two-wheel-drive SUV
• Toyota Tacoma Double Cab long bed four-wheel-drive pickup
• Mazda CX-9 two-wheel-drive SUV
• Audi A6 all-wheel-drive
• Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive SUV
• BMW 535 i and is
• BMW 535xi
• Lexus RX 350 two-wheel-drive SUV
• Lexus CT 200h
• Mercedes-Benz M-class SUV (called GLE-class in its current version)

Curious as to which vehicles had the highest death rates over the same four-year period? If so, the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and Toyota’s Scion tC are the answer.

IIHS Ranks SUVs as the Safest Vehicles on the Road

It only makes sense that more SUVs are listed than cars because if the two were to meet in an accident, the occupants of the smaller vehicle will likely fare worse than the SUV. This matter of physics is backed up with statistics from IIHS: there was an average of six deaths per million registered vehicle years in big, luxury SUVs, compared to 87 for the average four-door subcompact car.

Qualifications Needed to Be on “IIHS’s Top Safety Picks”

Each year, the IIHS compiles a list of the top safety picks of the year.

It’s not easy for a vehicle to earn a spot on the IIHS Top Safety Pick (or Pick+) lists! According to the IIHS website, “to qualify for the 2017 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in five crashworthiness tests — small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints — as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.”

To qualify for another award from the IIHS – “the 2017 Top Safety Pick+”, a vehicle must meet the above requirements, plus have “an acceptable or good headlight rating.”

To see if your vehicle has been awarded this prestigious safety award, check out the IIHS’s full listing of vehicles awarded here.

Waterdown Collision Wants Your Family to Stay Safe!

Keep you and your family safe by choosing a safe vehicle! Contact the professionals at Waterdown Collision for more advice on what to look for in a safe vehicle.