All About Japan Autos

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably dozed your way through a math class or two, sure that you’d never need the information in your day-to-day life. But, a new study from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) shows those math skills may come in handy in understanding your likelihood of surviving a side-impact car crash.

The IIHS explains, “Drivers of vehicles that perform well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s side-impact crash test are much less likely to die in a real-world left-side crash than drivers of vehicles that do poorly,” adding, “After controlling for driver age and gender and vehicle type and weight, a driver of a vehicle rated good for driver protection in a side impact is 70 percent less likely to die in a left-side crash compared with a driver of a vehicle rated poor. A driver of a vehicle rated acceptable is 64 percent less likely to die, and a driver of a vehicle rated marginal is 49 percent less likely to die.” Basically, a driver’s survival rate correlates with side-impact ratings. The higher the score, the more likely it is that a driver will survive.

The New York Times explains why it’s important for vehicles to have outstanding side-impact crash test scores. “Side-impact crashes can be particularly deadly because a vehicle’s flanks have minimal material to absorb crash energy and protect occupants. This is one argument for the importance of side air bags and a point that the insurance institute did not contest. But according to Adrian Lund, the institute’s president, the side-impact tests were performed to underline the complementary relationship between air bags and structural integrity, and to drive industry improvements in vehicle structure.”

Side airbags are just one portion of a stronghold that should protect occupants – vehicle structure is also important. If a small car with a weak structure is hit by an SUV, airbags alone won’t keep occupants safe. The two structures must work together.

The IIHS says, “The ultimate goal of the Institute’s testing program is to encourage automakers to produce safer vehicles. Knowing that consumers consult the ratings before buying, manufacturers design cars and trucks with the Institute’s tests in mind.”

So far, the tests have made a difference. “Automakers are eager to win the top ratings, which they use in advertising,” says The Detroit News. “As a result, 78 percent of current vehicles that have been tested by the institute have good side ratings — up from 17 percent in 2003.”

The IIHS makes it easy for shoppers to choose the safest vehicles on the market. Each year the organization releases a list of “Top Safety Picks:” cars that receive the top score of “Good” in front, side, rear and rollover crash test. When you shop for a car, start with the one on the list – it could save your life.

In the market for a new car? Check out the U.S. News rankings of this year’s best cars as well as this month’s best car deals. Also, be sure to check us out on Twitter.