What is the Most Dangerous Car on the Road?

Vehicle manufacturers continue adding safety features to all makes and models of cars. Driving today should, arguably, be safer than at any time in the past. However, not all vehicles are created equal when it comes to safety. According to numbers from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), some vehicles are involved in statistically more fatal car accidents than others. Here’s a list of those vehicles, as well as information about what makes a car more or less safe.

The most dangerous cars

The most dangerous cars, according to the IIHS, are mostly small sedans that, unsurprisingly, don’t fare as well when they’re involved in collisions with larger vehicles. However, other factors contribute to these cars making their way onto this list.

10. Chevrolet Sonic: 107 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: As a small sub-compact car, the Sonic doesn’t offer much protection for occupants. In this case, size likely contributes to the Sonic’s place as the tenth deadliest car on the road.

9. Chevrolet Camaro Coupe: 110 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: The Camaro Coupe may have made the list more because of its drivers than its design. As a car that packs some horsepower, its drivers may need to be more focused on safe traveling.

8. Kia Forte: 111 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: While the Forte doesn’t have terrible safety ratings, it did not perform well on side impacts, and it is still on the smaller end compared to many other cars on the road.

7. Nissan Altima: 113 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: As a fairly common and normal sedan, the Altima is an odd vehicle to make the list.

6. Dodge Charger HEMI (RWD): 118 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: The Charger doesn’t just have bad ratings for occupants; it also proved dangerous to other drivers.

5. Kia Rio (sedan): 122 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: The Rio is the only other car on the list that ranked poorly for both occupant fatalities and other driver deaths.

4. Chevrolet Spark: 151 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: The now discontinued Spark has few safety features, potentially adding to its reputation as one of the least safe vehicles on the road.

3. Hyundai Accent: 152 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: One possible issue with the Accent is its inadequate acceleration.

2. Dodge Challenger (RWD): 154 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: As a muscle car, this vehicle’s rating might have something to do with the driving style of owners.

1. Mitsubishi Mirage: 205 Deaths Per Million Vehicles: The Mirage’s death statistics take a leap beyond the other vehicles on the list. It might be a grim example of getting what you pay for, as the vehicle prioritizes low costs over performance and substance.

What makes a car dangerous?

Several factors might make a car less safe for occupants. Here are a few possible reasons that cars like those above made this unfortunate list.

The size

As mentioned, tiny cars may just be inherently risky on US roadways. The rising popularity of larger cars and SUVs has contributed to the risks that those in smaller vehicles face. It’s not difficult to decide which vehicle you would rather be in if a sub-compact collided with an Escalade.

The color

While the color of a car might seem unimportant, it can make a difference. Bright colors are easier to see and less likely to be overlooked by other drivers. Getting noticed reduces your risk of someone driving into your space.

The style

Fast cars attract certain buyers. If a car has impressive horsepower, many drivers will be tempted to test out those capabilities. As a result, these cars might be in more high-speed crashes simply because many people find hitting the gas in a muscle car too tempting. On the other end of the spectrum are the vehicles with the lowest fatality rates, which are minivans. While they are larger, their numbers also likely have to do more with the fact that they often attract more cautious drivers who are transporting children.

The features

Technology is largely to thank when it comes to the many safer cars on the road. However, adding something like navigation and a screen inside a vehicle can have drawbacks. Drivers who are distracted because they’re putting an address into the GPS, finding the music they want to listen to, or just looking for the AC in a vehicle with too many bells and whistles can put themselves and others at risk.

The maintenance

Whether or not a vehicle was safe when it first left the lot, if the owner doesn’t take care of it, problems can start to pop up. Issues with the brakes, engine, or tires can make the vehicle less safe. Taking a car in for regular maintenance can help keep any vehicle safer.

When it comes to safety, it’s more about drivers than cars

While some vehicles are safer than others, the reality is that safety on the road has much more to do with the driver than with the car. About 70% of accidents are the result of human behaviors and errors. Some of the actions drivers take that put them more at risk include speeding, using a phone, and drinking alcohol. Even the safest vehicles can do little to protect a reckless drunk driver. However, vehicle safety can give you a bit of extra security, considering that everyone will sometimes share the road with those who are less responsible behind the wheel.

For drivers interested in the top safety picks, the IIHS has a list that includes all categories of vehicles, from small cars to pickup trucks. The ratings use a series of crash tests and pedestrian accident prevention to create the list. It can be a helpful resource for safety-minded individuals looking to purchase a new vehicle.

Contact our skilled attorneys in Washington & Oregon today

Being in a car accident in any vehicle is a traumatic experience. If you suffered injuries because of another person’s negligence, you need to speak to a Vancouver personal injury lawyer now. Contact Philbrook Law to speak to one of our lawyers about your claim.