With highway fatalities lower than ever, even with all the distractions of today, it's obvious that car makers have learned to build safer automobiles, with the driver and passengers in mind. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, also known as the IIHS, provides consumers with a list of the safest vehicles for each model year. Here are some of 2012's notable safe cars that were rated as “good” by the IIHS.

The 4-door Honda Civic has long been a favorite of American drivers because of its fuel economy, but buyers will be happy to know that this car has a good safety rating, too. Honda offers you Vehicle Stability Assist, which senses when you over- or under-steer, and helps you retain control. Standard front air bags, along with side curtain and front side airbags, give protection to driver and passenger in case of an accident. These safety features help to reduce the cost for car insurance, since some of them aid in avoiding accidents.

Ford's Focus 4-door has made steps forward in safety, including more use of high-strength steel, making the vehicle more sturdy to drive. The restraint system is a result of 12,000+ simulated and real crash tests, which helped to develop the technologies Ford uses to protect drivers and passengers in the event of a crash. The Focus has next-generation airbags, giving you enhanced protection of the chest area. Focus also offers Electronic Stability Control and a passive anti-theft system.

The 2012 Toyota Corolla earned the good rating with IIHS with anti-lock brakes, stability control, and front-impact airbags that were specifically designed for advanced protection of the head. Overhead airbags also protect the head, especially in the case of a rollover, and side impact airbags protect the torso of driver and passenger. Special restraints offer anti-whiplash protection in rear collisions, making it one of the safe cars in such collisions. The Corolla also has an Ignition Disable Device which does not allow the engine to be started with any but the correct original vehicle key.

The Chevrolet Cruze for 2012 gives drivers OnStar emergency services, as well as daytime running lights and a traction control system. ABS brakes and the StabiliTrak ® Electronic Stability Control System help to give you full control even in dangerous conditions, and the Vehicle Anti-Theft System will keep your car right where you parked it. Rear Parking Assist allows you to park without worrying what's behind you. This helps to qualify you for lower car insurance rates. Most insurance providers today reward safety and security fitted cars with lower premiums.

Honda's 2012 CR-Z has anti-lock brakes, and stability control that senses when the handling limits are exceeded and helps prevent you from losing control of the car. Front-impact, side-impact ad overhead airbags protect you in the event of collisions or rollovers. Anti-whiplash restraints react in the case of a rear end collision, to reduce the chance of whiplash. The CR-Z can anticipate and detect intrusion into the vehicle and the ignition disable device will not allow the engine to start without the original key.

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra scores a “Good” rating with IIHS in roof strength, as well as front, side and rear crash tests. It includes many safety features like driver and front seat passenger advanced airbags, side curtain airbags and side-impact airbags, for exceptional protection for driver and passenger. This helps it gain a spot on the 2012 list of safe cars. The Elantra also has vehicle stability management and electronic brake-force distribution with anti-lock brakes for accurate braking. The electronic stability control features a traction control system that allows you to retain control even in poor driving conditions. Brake assist helps the brakes to perform positively, even in sudden stops.

The Lexus CT200h for 2012 offers anti-lock brakes and stability control, which helps you to retain control of your vehicle after the handling limits are exceeded. Along with front-impact, side-impact and overhead airbags that protect you in collisions and rollovers, Lexus also adds knee airbags, which aid in protecting your lower body from injury in an accident. Anti-whiplash restraints will cradle your head in the event of a rear end collision, to lessen the possibility of whiplash. These features add up to lower car insurance rates. The CT200h can also detect any unauthorized vehicle intrusion, by allowing the engine to start only with the original manufacturer key.

_Whether you live in an area that sees a lot of snow or not, knowing how to keep safe while driving in winter weather conditions could save your life, or that of someone you love. Snow and ice can be fun, but it can also be deadly. In 2011, freak snowstorms ran rampant, and 49 of the 50 United States had snow. For many of these states, it was the first snowfall seen in over twenty years. Had more people been aware of the basics for driving safely in winter weather conditions, perhaps there would have been fewer deadly accidents. Knowing how to react when you start aquaplaning on the road or how to brake on ice could help you reduce the chances of an accident, and in turn reduce your car insurance premium.

Prepare Your Vehicle

Regular maintenance of your car’s tires, bulbs, and fluids is crucial to safe driving in general, not just during the winter.

•    Tire wear can cause excessive sliding, putting everybody at risk that may be on the roads while you are driving. Having your tires checked every three to four months when you get the oil changed will not cost any extra, and ensures that they are safe.

•    Antifreeze helps to protect your vehicle against extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. If there is not adequate fluid, your car is at risk of breaking down, putting you at risk of being hit by another vehicle, or stranded on the side of the road, exposed to the elements. While not every technician is certified to check the antifreeze, it is fairly simple to at least check if it is low or not yourself. Familiarize yourself with where the overflow tank is in your vehicle, and make it a habit to check the fullness.

•    Your car’s exterior lights are primarily used to send messages to other drivers. Blinkers alert that you are going to turn, and let drivers know to slow down in preparation. Brake lights signal that you are in the process of slowing down for some reason. This tells other drivers to be alert, slow down, and make themselves aware of the reason so they can decide on alternate responses if needed. Headlights increase your vehicle’s visibility to oncoming traffic, as well as allowing you to navigate in the dark. Keeping all of these bulbs in good working order is extremely easy, and very important.

The Decision to Drive

Even if your car is in good working order, some would compare driving in winter weather conditions as much of a gamble as buying a lotto ticket. There is always a risk involved. It is up to you to decide if the risk is worth taking.

When winter weather is present, it is a good idea to check local road conditions to see if there is a warning urging people to stay off the roads. Obviously, if there is such a warning, you should not go out except in cases of emergency. If no warnings are given, it does not mean that roads are safe. This usually means that roads are manageable if you drive safe and smart.

Out and About

Driving on snow and ice can be tricky. It is important to know what to do in certain situations to avoid a serious accident.

•    Keep speeds at, or below the posted speed limits. This gives extra response time if your car hits a slippery patch, as well as if a car near you begins to slide. For the same reason, it is good to stay an extra car length behind other vehicles.

•    Stay alert, and ease into stops sooner than you normally would. This will ensure that you are able to come to a full stop without sliding into ongoing traffic in the case of a stop sign or red light. If you try to stop quickly, your tires will not be able to find traction.

•    If you find yourself beginning to slide, do not slam on the brakes, but instead slowly pump them to slow down and regain control. Resist the urge to turn the wheel as well, as this can lead to even more sliding.

•    Do not allow yourself to believe you will not have problems simply because your vehicle has four wheel drive. While it is nice to have for better traction, having four wheel drive does not exempt your vehicle from taking the same precautions as everyone else.

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Do you think that the car you are driving is as safe as it can possibly be? Having a safe car can help you out in many different ways. You know that your car is going to protect you if you ever get into an accident. However, did you know that having a safe car is going to keep your car insurance rates down as well? Here are some ways you can determine whether or not your car is a safe one.

Look At The Brakes

The first thing you want to know is what kind of braking system your car has. Newer cars typically come with anti-lock brakes that will enhance the safety of your car. The ability to stop without your brakes locking up can come in handy in a variety of situations. Driving on a snowy road can be dangerous in any car, but having anti-lock brakes can allow you to stop safely without skidding and sliding. Anti-lock brakes also allow you to stop suddenly if something jumps out at you on the road.

What Kind Of Safety Features Does It Have

An abundance of safety features exist that can make your car much safer. Airbags are a common safety feature in newer cars. Airbags will help cushion the blow if you get into a major accident. They are designed to stop your head from slamming against the steering wheel. Another new technique that makes cars safety is having the front panel simply crumple up and absorb the blow. It won't protect your car, but it will cause you to stay safe from other potential injuries.

How Much Does Your Car Sense

Sensors and occasionally cameras are almost mandatory in cars these days. If your car has a back-up camera, you can see what is going on behind you without having to turn your head. Higher end cars come with sensors that will actually stop your car if it senses anything that comes too close to your automobile. Technology will also make it possible for a car to stop itself if it senses the driver has fallen asleep.

Will Your Car Cut down on Potential Distractions

Does your car have any type of hands-free technology that will help you keep your eyes on the road? The ability to use your phone without actually have to be on the phone will make it easier to cut down on distractions. Technology exists today that will transmit any voice or text messages through your car radio. I know that most smart phones including my iPhone have apps for this and it is great. Look into the options that are available to you if you do not have any hands-free technology in your car. Most states have laws against using cell phones in your car, so make sure that you are not putting yourself in danger of getting a ticket. Cutting down on distractions while driving will also make sure that you are not putting the lives of others in danger while you are on the road, which of course is the most important aspect.

Anti-Theft Devices Offer Protection

There are ways to make your car safe even when you are not driving it. Installing an anti-theft device on your car will ensure that your car is not at risk for any damage. A car thief is not going to be nice to your car in an attempt to break in. Even if the car is not stolen, you could still suffer broken glass and stolen property. Protecting your car against theft might seem like an afterthought when it comes to car safety, but your insurance company is going to reward you for using this as a method to protect your car. I know they did when I informed them of my latest anti-theft device. The last thing you want to see is your car smashed up because you weren't thinking about keeping it safe when it is on the street.

There are many ways to make your car as safe as it can possibly be. Consider purchasing a car that has as many safety features as possible. If you cannot afford a new car, it might be worth looking into installing as many components as you can to make your car safer. A safe car will protect you in an accident while lowering the amount of your insurance premium. Safety definitely pays when it comes to your car.

_Reality shows have slowly overtaken the good old action films as our favorite past times. One of the most interesting reality shows being aired right now is about the top ten luckiest escapes from car crashes. This program explores the pain that many people went through after their horrifying ordeals. The trauma will not go way any time soon, the physical scars that are evident as well as the deep emotional trauma they mirror are all explored through their heart wrenching stories. Are all these incidences of negligence? Or is it just fate? Many will argue on both sides, but it all goes back to one thing, what led to the accidents?

Car accidents are not something we can ever be fully prepared or in our lives, yet we are always minutes way from a car accident especially those of us who work and live in the cities. Car insurance is such a profitable industry because of the unfortunate statistic that millions of car accidents occur every year in the world, these results in the deaths and serious injuries of millions of drivers, passengers and innocent pedestrians. Many theories have been floated around trying to explain why there are so many accidents happening in a time where information on accidents is being preached from every avenue.

So far the studies have churned out many reasons but one is continuously sticking out, driver error. The most affected are the age groups between the ages of 18 and 38, most studies have shown. However many people who have been lucky to survive accidents will always cite many variables that led to their accidents in their testimonies.

Bad roads have been a source of concern since the automobile replaced the horse carriage on our roads. Endless potholes, uneven pavements are seen as big culprits that have given as living nightmares whenever we imagine ourselves driving in them. Poor visibility, icy and frozen roads, rain are any driver’s nightmare. Driving in such conditions will surely test your ability to keep calm as well as stretch your patience to the limit. This coupled with bad weather combine to give you a deadly cocktail of possibilities that may and will lead you to an accident if you are not keen when driving. The driver determines how fast the car travels, how it navigates the road, hence he/she determines the outcome of such a situation. It is not always you can control these however; some accidents are caused by being hit by an oncoming vehicle. If we all kept our end of the bargain, even these would happen.

Youths and speeding are inseparable; car accident related deaths and speeding are bosom buddies. There has been a rise in the deaths of young people due to auto mobile accidents. Alcohol and drug fueled drag races are killing many people now days. To look cool, many are sucked in the vortex of peer pressure, they give in, they over speed and the results are straight out of a Hollywood car wreck scene. Driving well within the required speed limit will surely not earn you any envy but it will buy your life. Chances of being involved in accidents reduce when traffic rules are strictly observed.

The meteoritic rise of Driving under the Influence (DUI) cannot be ignored. It has always been with us but since the dawn of this century it has grown to be a big headache for the authorities as well as being the reason for a flood of tears, shed for people gone too soon from the accidents. A-list celebrities to some small time high school kids, DUI has killed and maimed millions of people not only in America but all over the world. Princess Diana is perhaps the best testament of such. Every week there is an item about how a group of teens is dead while others are in an ICU due to DUI.

Talking to a cell phone while driving is your best bet to killing yourself, studies point fingers at it as the leading cause for car accidents. Thank goodness that the Bluetooth and car phones are here. Rubbernecking– looking at something while driving– is also a big reason for the accidents. These causes are not inevitable; most do not require rocket physics to avoid. It is you to choose how you will enjoy the story on the top ten luckiest escapes from car crashes, as the audience or the narrator.