Key Factors Influencing Vehicle Safety Standards
Discover the essential aspects that determine a vehicle's safety standards, including crash tests, safety features, and technological advancements. This guide highlights top models and emphasizes the importance of choosing safe vehicles for optimal protection on the road.
Modern vehicles boast sleek designs, powerful engines, and luxurious interiors, along with advanced technological features. However, passenger safety remains the top priority for automakers. Significant investments are made annually to develop cutting-edge safety systems that detect, prevent, and defend occupants during accidents.
Based on assessments from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), some of the safest vehicles in 2017 included models like Chevrolet Volt, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Jetta, Audi A4, Lexus RC, Toyota RAV4, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Chrysler Pacifica, and Honda Ridgeline.
Vehicles are categorized by class and size, then undergo five initial safety tests to qualify for rankings. These include moderate and small overlap frontal crash tests, side impact tests, roof strength evaluations, and head restraint assessments to protect neck safety. Only vehicles passing these benchmarks advance to the top safety list.
Further testing examines front crash prevention capabilities—evaluating whether vehicle computer systems can avoid frontal collisions—and headlight performance, ensuring visibility for drivers.
As vehicle safety technology advances yearly, it’s crucial for consumers to select vehicles equipped with the latest safety features, ensuring optimal protection for all passengers and valuable lives.
