Statistics for the national rates of automobile crashes are compiled at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. They break down their crashes into levels of severity: fatal accidents, accidents where someone is injured, and accidents where only property was damaged. The last year that numbers are currently available for is 2016, and they are eye-opening.
Here are the totals:
- Fatal Accidents: 34,439
- Injury Accidents: 5,065,000
- Property-Damage-Only Accidents: 7,277,000
“The type of car a person is driving can make all the difference in whether or not the accident results in a fatality or serious injury. Researching cars for safety features is an important part of the shopping process,” says Randall Isenberg, a DMV hearing lawyer in Garland, TX.
While advertisements on television and the radio may laud a vehicle’s safety features, there are several consumer agencies out there making their own recommendations. These include places like Kelly Blue Book and Consumer Report, but you can also turn to reputable publications who usually release their lists of safest autos.
Car and Driver is one such publication, and like their title claims, they specialize in catering to those who drive and love cars. Business Insider and U.S. News and World Report also compare car safety features and make recommendations.
Below, you will find the cars most recommended for safety in 2018 by class: sedan, SUV, and crossover vehicles.
Sedan:
Toyota Camry
Toyota has packed safety features into even their stock vehicles, known as their “L” series. All Camry vehicles, from the L series to the luxury XSE all come with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping alert, high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, and 10 airbags. The safest model is the XLE, which comes in at about $33,145.
SUV:
Honda CRV
Rollovers are a huge concern with many SUVs. With the Honda CRV, the NHTSA gives this offering a four-star rating and a five-star in overall crash test rating. While the only safety feature across the line is a rearview camera, moving up from the base trim opens the door to numerous safety options, including lane keep assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The LX model starts at about $23,770.
Crossover:
Subaru Outback
The Outback from Subaru kind of treads the line between crossover and wagon, but the all-wheel drive availability can make this offering a true crossover. To get the package that makes the Outback a top safety pick, you’ll need to spend $35.695 for an Outback 2.5i Limited, then equip it with the Eye-Sight package at $2085, which includes automated front and rear braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and high-beam as well as LED headlights.
The decision to purchase a vehicle is a big one, and safety should be one of the primary factors when making your purchase, especially if you have children. Do your research before making a purchase.
