Have you heard of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)? They are a non-profit organization that performs testing and research in order to assign safety ratings to new vehicles. Statistics show that you should be paying attention to these IIHS ratings when you choose your next car.
IIHS Ratings: The Statistics Speak For Themselves
The IIHS performs various tests on new vehicles and assigns ratings based on how they do. They have five main tests to determine crashworthiness: Moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint. They then rate the vehicles as "good," "acceptable," "marginal," or "poor" in each test.
While they recognize that vehicle design isn't the only causation for harmful automotive crashes, their tests have proven to be fruitful. Their ratings help consumers make better informed decisions and have pushed automakers to produce safer vehicles. The statistics show just how impactful they can be.
Death and injury reductions with a "good" versus a "poor" rating in IIHS tests:
- Front offset with moderate overlap test: Fatality risk in head-on crashes is 46% lower
- Side Impact Crash Test: Fatality risk in side impact crashes 70% lower
- Rear Impact Test (seat only): Neck injury risk in rear crashes is 15% lower and the risk of neck injury requiring 3+ months treatment is 35% lower
As you can see, paying attention to these rankings can literally help you and your passengers stay alive. So, the next time that you are in the market for a vehicle, it would be prudent to look up and consult its safety ratings from the IIHS.
Where to Go When You Need a Car with Bad Credit
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