How To Choose a Safe Vehicle
Decide what type of vehicle you really need. In general, larger cars are safer than smaller cars. When you crash into a car that is 50% heavier than yours, for example, your risk of dying in that crash is 3-5 times higher than the other driver’s.
SUVs have the advantage of size, but they are top heavy and more prone to roll-over crashes. They also take longer to stop and are less able to avoid crashes in the first place, compared to passenger cars.
Pick-ups and large vans also have generally poor handling characteristics compared to passenger cars.
Minivans offer reasonably good handling characteristics and fuel economy, and many have good crash ratings.
Copyright © 2005 Spine Research Institute of San Diego
