Factors That Ensure Vehicle Safety
This article explores the key elements that make a car safe, including crash tests, safety features, and ongoing technological developments. It highlights top-rated vehicles from 2017 based on evaluations by safety authorities like IIHS and NHTSA. Emphasizing the importance of safety features in vehicle selection, the piece aims to guide consumers toward safer driving choices by understanding the standards and innovations in automotive safety.
Key Factors in Vehicle Safety
Modern cars feature streamlined designs, high-performance engines, luxurious interiors, and advanced technological amenities — all appealing to consumers.
However, passenger safety remains the top concern for automakers. Significant investments are made annually to develop innovative safety systems that detect hazards, prevent accidents, and protect occupants on the road.
According to evaluations by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), several vehicles ranked as the safest in 2017, including:
- Chevrolet Volt
- Mazda 3
- Volkswagen Jetta
- Audi A4
- Lexus RC
- Toyota RAV4
- Honda Pilot
- Acura MDX
- Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Honda Ridgeline
- Vehicles are grouped by category and size and subjected to a series of five tests to qualify for the safest vehicle list.
The moderate overlap frontal collision test involves crashing the car into a wall covering 40% of its front. The small overlap test simulates a more direct impact, with the wall hitting 25% of the vehicle’s front.
Side impact tests evaluate the vehicle’s ability to withstand碰撞 from the sides. Roof strength assessments determine if the roof can support four times the vehicle’s weight during rollovers, while head restraint tests protect occupants’ necks in crashes.
Only vehicles that pass these standards qualify for the top safety rankings. The front crash prevention tests assess whether built-in systems can prevent frontal collisions, and headlight evaluations ensure visibility at night.
Constant innovations enhance vehicle safety each year. When purchasing a new car, consider both the technological features and safety standards to ensure protection for all occupants and valuable lives.
