I'm apprehensive about driving after recently having an accident, but I have to replace my car because I rely on it for work. I didn't really think about safety before but now it's my main concern. I intend to use my insurance settlement towards the purchase of a new vehicle.
I know Volvos had a reputation as the safest cars around, but nowadays most cars seem to have lots of safety features. I'm a bit confused as I don't know whether they're all absolutely necessary. What safety considerations do you think are most important?
- Holly in Brampton
Throughout the 1970s and '80s, it was widely assumed that Volvo made the safest vehicles. For this reason, even Kurt Cobain chose to drive a Volvo. Built like tanks though they were, they clearly couldn't protect him from everything.
Volvo still has an incredible reputation for safety, and other manufacturers have followed its lead. The bar is continually being raised, and all vehicles have to meet basic standards put in place and updated by Transport Canada and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Auto manufacturers are continually developing features to prevent accidents - or keep you safe if you're involved in one.
The most effective are eventually mandated by law and included in all new vehicles. A recent example is that all new vehicles sold after Sept. 1, 2011, in Canada must be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), a technology that does for side-to-side sliding what antilock brakes did for skidding. Transport Canada estimates that this feature could have prevented 29 per cent of fatal and injury crashes caused by loss of vehicle control between 2000 and 2005.
"CAA [Canadian Automobile Association]strongly recommends all buyers consider, and purchase when feasible, certain safety technologies that are still optional on many vehicles. All of them provide vital information, warnings, or navigational assistance to reduce the likelihood of an emergency situation. Ask your dealer about available options for: blind-spot monitoring, lane-support systems, and warning and emergency braking systems," says Ian Jack, CAA spokesperson.
"Like ESC, ABS, airbags and seatbelts before them, we believe these newer technologies save lives, and will eventually become standard equipment."
Whether or not you can afford the latest optional safety extras, you should take a look at crash-test ratings to see how well specific models perform under impact. According to the NHTSA, all consumers should visit safercar.gov - which will enable you to compare vehicles in many crash tests and rollover ratings.
The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is another good resource. "Our crash-test ratings show you which vehicles go above and beyond basic standards," says Russ Rader, IIHS spokesperson.
"You can consult the Institute tests on our website [iihs.org] which lists the Top Safety Picks - those are the vehicles with the highest ratings across the board. We work and co-operate with the NHTSA, but our tests differ. We recommend consumers look at both."
Anxiety and apprehension after a major motor vehicle accident is common. Regardless of your decision on a vehicle purchase, it's important to take your time re-acquainting yourself with driving and getting comfortable back behind the wheel.
As CAA's Ian Jack says, "Ensuring your vehicle has the safest technology possible is an excellent investment in a safer future for you and your loved ones. But ultimately, the way you drive the car once you leave the dealer's lot is the most important safety factor for you and those on the road with you."
Joanne Will welcomes your questions. E-Mail Ask Joanne at globedrive@globeandmail.com
My Car: Powerful marketing maven Arlene Dickenson is a self-admitted 'car nut'