Are Small Cars Safe?

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury in the country. Even minor crashes can cause severe injuries. Vehicle safety has been a central factor of car design for decades. Among the discussion about vehicle safety are questions regarding how the size of the car affects how safe it is. Many people are wondering if small cars are safe.

Though small cars are not unsafe, they are not as safe as most bigger cars. Smaller, lighter cars are easier to crush and experience serious damage in an accident. If another vehicle or object crushes a car in a crash, the occupants of the car will most likely suffer severe injuries or death.

Most big cars have longer hoods and bigger crush zones, so the people inside the car are less likely to suffer injuries in an accident. Many car experts claim that the safety of small cars against big cars is a simple matter of physics. Heavier vehicles usually push smaller vehicles back in collisions, putting less force on the people inside the heavier vehicle. In 2015, there were almost five times more deaths per million in mini cars than in SUVs.

Some people believe that size does not factor into safety rating and that cars of all sizes and weights can have identical ratings. Safety ratings are only comparable for vehicles that are in the same size class. A five-star safety rating in a Jetta is not the same as a five-star rating for an SUV.

No matter what size vehicle you are purchasing, a vehicle with a higher safety rating is always a better choice. It will reduce your chances of suffering a serious injury in a crash. If you are looking to buy a small car for the superior mileage or lower impact on the environment, be sure to pay attention to the safety rating.

Though small cars are still not as safe as bigger cars, most cars have become safer in recent years. Car companies are designing vehicles with more safety features. Years ago, cars did not have the safety features such as extra airbags, electronic stability control, and stronger roofs in SUVs and trucks. In fact, electronic stability control became a legal requirement for all vehicles in 2012. Some recent models even have technology that will automatically stop the vehicle if it is about to collide with something.

No matter what size or kind of car you drive, a newer vehicle is safer than older ones. Every vehicle size category has experienced reduced fatality rates in the past ten years. An older, larger car will not be outfitted with the same safety features as a new, smaller car.

When people think of big cars, many immediately picture an SUV. Though SUVs have had rollover and roof issues, they are still the safest vehicles on the road for many reasons.

SUVs are taller vehicles, making it extremely unlikely for them to slide beneath another vehicle in a crash. Large SUVs had the fewest fatalities per million in 2015. Over a span of ten years, the death rate in large SUVs decreased by 71%. The death rate for the smaller SUV class also saw a significant decrease of 60%.

Though SUVs are often the safest vehicles, not everyone needs to drive one. Safety is just one of the many features to consider when purchasing a car. Cost, fuel efficiency, and everyday driving needs are also significant factors in choosing a vehicle.

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