Highway Collisions And The Safest Cars In 2009

Car accidents, which kill approximately 43,000 people every year, is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the US, according to the Department of Transportation. Because of the magnitude of the problem, the federal agency has conducted several studies about highway collisions and categorized these into six.

Rear-end impact

This happens when a driver hits another car in front, smashing its rear. Usually, this occurs when a vehicle suddenly stops and the car behind is unable to immediately press the break.
According to researchers, the force of rear-end is half the speed of the car. For example, a sedan traveling at a speed of 30mph that rear-ends another vehicle will be like crashing into a wall at 15mph.

Side collision

This happens when one side of the car is hit by another vehicle. Researchers said that this accident is very common in intersections and parking areas.

Run off-road collision

This single-vehicle accident occurs when a driver losses control of the car and leaves the roadway, thus resulting to a rollover or hitting a fixed object.

Rollover

SUVs have been found to rollover (turning on its side or roof) four times more than low-roofed cars due its higher center of gravity.

Head-on collision

This happens when the two vehicles front collided with each other. Several studies suggested that this is one of the most fatal car accidents because the relative velocity of cars traveling in opposite directions is high.

Back-up collision

This happens when a driver fails to see that there is an object or person behind the vehicle. While cars have rear view mirrors, drivers may find it hard to detect smaller objects behind them. Big trucks have bigger blind spots, making these more prone to back-up accident.

Back-up collision is also called Bye-bye accident because most of the victims were young children who followed their parents from the car to wave goodbye.

With the seriousness of car accidents, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has conducted a comprehensive crashworthiness test to determine the safest cars in the market.
This is the list of the safest car models in 2009:

(Large cars)

Acura RL
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
2009-10 models
Hyundai Genesis
4-door models built after 11/08
Lincoln MKS
Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

(Midsize cars)

Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audi A3
Audi A4
BMW 3 series 4-door models
Ford Fusion 2009-10 models with ESC
Honda Accord 4-door models
Lincoln MKZ 2010 models
Mercedes C class
Mercury Milan 2009-10 models with ESC
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Volkswagen CC
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo C30

(Small cars)

Ford Focus 2-door models with optional ESC
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional ESC
Honda Insight 2010 models with optional ESC
Kia Soul 2010 models
Mitsubishi Lancer with optional ESC
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla 2009-10 models with ESC
Toyota Prius 2010 models
Volkswagen Rabbit 4-door models

(Mini car)

Honda Fit with optional ESC

(Large SUVs)

Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Mercedes R class built after 9/08
Saturn Outlook

(Midsize SUVs)

Acura MDX
Acura RDX
Audi Q5
BMW X3
BMW X5
Ford Edge
Ford Flex
Ford Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lexus RX 2010 models
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M class 2009-10 models
Nissan Murano
Saturn VUE
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Venza
Volvo XC90

(Small SUVs)

Ford Escape
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan