Test Your Car's Crash Worthiness
Every vehicle must meet federal standards for specifying minimum safety levels, but this does not mean all cars are equally safe.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the most important safety features in a car reduce the risk of death or injury. When shopping, look for:
Vehicle Size -- Small cars have more than twice as many occupant deaths each year compared to larger cars.
Vehicle Structure -- Modern car designs include a strong occupant compartment or "safety cage," and front and rear crush zones to absorb crash energy in a controlled manner.
Safety Belts -- Choose belts that comfortably fit you and your family.
Airbags -- Airbags create a cushion between the upper body and the steering wheel or windshield. Driver deaths in frontal crashes are 20 percent lower with airbags.
Side Impact Protection -- Manufacturers typically use extra padding to meet federal side impact crash test requirements. Today, several 1997 car models have side airbags including all Volvos, Audi A8, Cadillac Catera and DeVille, and the Lexus LS400.
For a list of frontal offset crash test results, call (703) 247-1500 or visit http://www.carsafety.org
We are pleased to provide this "Bulletin" as a service to you. While this information was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed. It does not change or alter insurance contracts or coverages.
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