How Well Can Your Car Withstand Collision?

How safe is your car? Is it above average? Dofeeling safer because they can see out over
you have any idea how well it can withstandtraffic. Yet a vehicle with a high center of gravity
collision? The answers to these queries are veryis more likely to roll. Large and heavy cars cocoon
important not just to car occupants but topassengers in copious steel, protecting them in
automakers as well. Experts say showingthe event of a collision. Yet large and heavy
consumers how a particular car performs in timesvehicles are more likely to lose traction. They're
of collision is an effective sales tactic.more likely to be involved in an accident in the
At the much-concluded New York Auto Showfirst place."
held last week, one of the most controversialBut misconceptions are slowly jettisoning
displays was a crumpled Ford Taurus. The displayconsumers' mind. Last year, Volkswagen AG ran
was the Dearborn automaker's effort to showthe "Safe Happens" campaign to promote the
visitors how durable Ford parts are and how wellJetta and the Passat. The campaign effectively
Taurus withstands a collision.tickled consumer interest in VW.
Ford Motor Co.'s display created an ambiance thatSmartCar, moreover, used videos of the crash
made consumers think more about their cartests on the Internet even before the ForTwo
safety especially in a crash. For some buffs, thewas offered for sale in America. At the
automaker's introduction of its innovative safetyautomaker's press events, crumpled, rolled and
features is treated as a breath of fresh air.battered vehicles were displayed. The move has
Historically, automakers avoid any suggestion thatpulled consumers closer to SmartCar.
vehicles actually collide and occupants could die inBig names in auto safety such as Volvo Cars
their cars. However, safety inside cars hashave also introduced features that provide
become a hot issue in the past decades. This isprotection to occupants in collisions. Features
why, at present, automakers are finding ways toinclude crumple zones, seat belts, airbags, side
offer the most effective auto features to ensureimpact protection, strong occupant compartment,
safety of car occupants.and head rests. What's more, car features that
Car safety has always been difficult to explain. Ithelp avoid crashing such as electronic stability
is also difficult to sell. And automakers havecontrol (ESC), antilock braking systems (ABS),
allowed unspoken white lies about safety tointelligent speed adaptation (ISA), traction control,
promote their cars. Wired News reported: "Driversand active braking systems were also installed in
who ride high in a vehicle, for example, reportvehicles.