Sleek lines and bold new designs attract shoppers to the newest and sometimes fastest automobiles of the year.
Fortunately, the appealing looks of a car or truck are not the only priorities that have gone into the latest vehicle designs. Technological advances have facilitated some of the best safety features that drivers have ever experienced. Moreover, these new features have reduced car accident fatalities by more than one third in the last few years.
This information comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS calculates that 7,700 lives were saved in 2012 due to the advances in safety features and technology built into newer model cars. These numbers are the latest statistics available. IIHS attributes these numbers to technological innovations such as crossovers, safety features, and structural designs.
Car Models with the Lowest Rates Fatal Car Accidents
Audi A4 4WD
Honda Odyssey
Kia Sorrento 2 WD
Lexus RX 350 4WD
Mercedes Benz GL Class 4WD
Car Models with the Highest Rates of Driver Fatalities
Kio Rio
Nissan Versa sedan
Hyundai Accent
Chevrolet Aveo
Chevrolet Camaro coupe
There are other statistics to consider when examining fatal car accident rates. For example, gender differences affect the overall statistics. Men ages 20-24 years of age, as well as those over the age of 85, are in more car accidents than women. Out of the 33,561 people who died in car accidents in 2012, 65% were passengers in vehicles, while 28% were pedestrians and motorcyclists. Two percent were bicyclists, and another two percent were traveling in large trucks.
While manufacturers look to produce vehicles with the newest and most advanced safety features to reduce car accidents caused by distracted driving, drunk driving, drowsy driving or dangerous driving conditions, there are those proponents who fall back on measures that have stood the test of time. Some of these include the use of safety belts, reducing speed limits, use of helmets, and sobriety check points.
