There are several factors that help to determine how safe your driving experience will ultimately be. The first is proper training from people like our experts at Pacific Driver Education. Instructors at our driving school in Portland, Oregon take seriously their role in making the drivers on our nation’s roadways safe. We do this by giving them comprehensive instruction in handling vehicles of all kinds. However, another factor that determines how safe a driver will be on our roadways is the kind of vehicle he or she decides to purchase. Some vehicles have a better safety record and better safety equipment built into them than others. The difference in safety features can directly impact the chance that a driver will survive in a crash. Here are some of the safest new cars (2016-2017) on the road as determined by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI).
The Safest Cars on the Streets
Mini-cars
- 2017 Mini Cooper: This vehicle eliminates the idea that smaller cars are automatically unsafe. Its safety features include: Passenger, rear end and side air bags, rollover protection system, Electronic Stability Control, child safety locks, integrated turn signal mirrors and more.
- 2017 Toyota Yaris iA: This car - which comes with either automatic or manual transmission - has safety features including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBO), Brake Over-ride System (BOS) and more.
Small/Compact cars
- 2016 Hyundai Elantra: Reasonably priced and gas efficient, this car’s safety features include: Anti -lock brakes (ABS), stability control, front-impact airbags, side impact airbags, pretensioners and a security system that anticipates and/or detects unwanted vehicle intrusion.
- 2017 Volkswagen Golf: Front crash prevention makes this Volkswagen entry a safe, small-sized car that is perfect for individuals or couples.
Midsize cars
- 2017 Ford Fusion: This popular car receives five and four star ratings when it comes to frontal, side and roll over crash scenarios. Its safety features include: Rear, side and passenger airbags, auto-on headlights, Electronic Stability Control, 4-Wheel ABS and more.
- 2017 Nissan Maxima: This entry has optional front crash prevention technology as well as specific headlights. Overall it receives a G rating when it comes to crashworthiness.
Large Cars
- 2017 Toyota Avalon: This vehicle has a G rating when it comes to roof strength. (This is determined by testers pushing a metal plate against one side of the roof at a slow but constant speed.)
- 2017 Infiniti Q70: This large luxury car comes with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights
Finally, many factors determine how safe your driving experience will be – weather, the driver’s abilities, the size and type of car he/she chooses, etc. Our driver’s education in Portland is a large component to helping to develop safe driving habits, choice of vehicle etc., are the other components. Drive safely in whatever vehicle you choose.