Dodge Challenger Fares Poorly in Crash Tests
Dodge Challenger is one of the most deadly cars on the road, according to research by iSeeCars.com, an automotive ranking firm. While the Nissan Versa is next in the queue, the Dodge Challenger tops the list. In short, it has two times the number of fatal accidents than any other car in its category. Its rate of deadly accidents is 18.3, compared to 8.7 for the Versa. To get a clear understanding of why the Challenger and similar types of vehicles are so deadly, let’s peer into the world of safety as it pertains to this class of vehicles. We’ll also check out the vehicles that are more deadly in one part of the country compared to other geographical areas nationwide. If you are in the Sacramento – Stockton – Modesto area, you might want to pay attention.
Vehicle Ranking
In the Sacramento area, the vehicles most often involved in fatal accidents are:
- Dodge Challenger
- Nissan Versa
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Honda Civic
- Nissan Sentra
Nationwide, the number one and two slots were occupied by the Mitsubishi Mirage and Chevrolet Corvette.
How the Dodge Challenger Fared in Crash Tests
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) performed crash tests to measure the Challenger’s worthiness. One is the small front overlap test. This test involves a portion (25 percent) of the vehicle’s front end striking a rigid object at 40 mph. Three cars were tested. The Challenger, Camaro, and Mustang. Following are the results of the test:
- Camaro – good
- Mustang – acceptable
- Dodge Challenger – marginal
Why the Results May Give Dodge Challenger Owners Second Thoughts
In the test, when the Challenger hits the barrier, the front wheels are forced into the passenger compartment. This intrusion into the footwell impinges the test dummy’s foot and deforms its ankle. Technicians were needed to detached the dummy’s foot in order to free the ankle. With front overlap testing, entrapment of this sort is rare. Because of this, the Challenger was awarded the next to lowest rating a vehicle can receive. It was rated acceptable for roof strength and restraints while getting top marks for side impacts and moderate overlap. Challenger owners might consider the Mustang next time, which won accolades for overall safety.
Choosing a Safe Vehicle
Choosing a safe car is an important consideration when buying a new or used vehicle. While used cars may not have all the newest bells and whistles, it is still possible to find one that protects you and your family. Some criteria you can use are:
- Crash tests: Such tests subject vehicles to simulated crashes. They do this to determine if passengers are protected in different accident types. They use dummies to replace human passengers. They also check to see how long it takes to abruptly stop the vehicle and how it will behave under poor road conditions. You can check out the following sites.
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- IIHS: This group focuses on the protection afforded by the vehicle’s build. It uses offset frontal crashes to accomplish this.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Annually, the NHTSA uses frontal and side-impact crashes to determine if safety devices such as seat belts and airbags are working.
- Consumer Reports: Each year, Consumer Reports rates the safety of vehicles based on a group of factors. They use crash tests and the vehicle’s ability to avoid accidents such as braking, avoidance capability, and acceleration.
- Safety recalls: It is important to check for safety recalls on a vehicle before buying it. You can check with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation to look for a specific vehicle.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Whether it is a problem with a specific vehicle or driver error, there are times when you need an experienced injury lawyer. It is possible to check for problems with a specific vehicle to nail down the reason the accident happened. If that’s the case, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach out to me online.
I’ve helped numerous individuals get the compensation they deserve in traumatic injuries, all types of car accidents and wrongful deaths.
I belong to two groups that I would like to share with you:
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel: The members of this organization are among the top tier of lawyers noted for practicing legal excellence.
- Million Dollar Advocates: Attorneys who have won more than $1 million for a client.
Become familiar with my practice on the pages listed below:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/crash-test-collision-60-km-h-1620591/
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