Ratings for the 2010 safest vehicles won’t be immediately available when the latest models hit the showrooms. If you want to net the jump on safe cars 2010, you probably will have to accumulate a 2009 rating, at least for the first few months.

Why? Car safety ratings sources won’t try to evaluate the safest cars of 2010 in advance, no more than they made similar attempts during previous years. The reason is that these safety ratings sources perceive that they would not get an fair, accurate picture by allowing automakers to hold and choose 2010 models in reach for special delivery. Instead, safety ratings sources purchase cars incognito from dealerships.

Sources do not unearth a shrimp handful of “safety superstar” cars or vans or trucks that are far superior in terms of extra paneling or air bags, or other safety features. It’s truly not feasible to catch a Top Five group from among more than 250 choices, at least not in the interest of fairness. Ratings instead are in general categories such as good, acceptable, marginal and abominable.

In general, overseas automakers bag higher for car safety than the American Grand Three of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. The Big Three have some individual standouts, such as the Chevy Silverado truck and the Ford Mercury Milano sedan. However, overseas automakers such as Volkswagen, Subaru and Kia place virtually all of their various models into the top car safety categories, rather than a fraction. Toyota and Honda also have high overall ratings.

The two main United States sources for evaluating the model year 2010 safest vehicles will be the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) at safercar.gov and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety at iihr.org. You may also consult magazines such as Consumer Reports, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, and Car and Driver.

NHTSA didn’t begin front impact testing until 1978, which in retrospect means that the government for many years resisted pressure from safe car advocates such as Ralph Nader. Side impact tests originated in 1997 and rollover tests in 2001. A roof impact test is to begin this year.

Oddly enough, amid so many years of massive government spending, NHTSA officials say they don’t conduct rear atomize tests and don’t annually tests all models. Their explanation is that they lack enough funds. This is in spite of a yearly traffic-death toll of more than 40,000, according to NHTSA records, which translates to monthly fatalities exceeding the 3,000 killed in the September 11 terror attacks from eight years ago.

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety tests for front, side and rear impacts. Another insurance group test is for bumpers, which is only natural. Insurance companies are the ones who must pay out cash for all of those little dingers.

If you see an advertisement in which an automotive make and model claims a “five-star crash test rating,” investigate more deeply. Five stars might be awarded for only one aspect of the test ratings, such as side impact, while other aspects have lower scores.

Tests results from the NHTSA are not listed by groups of cars. Instead, a motorist who uses the web site or calls on the telephone may inquire about one make and model at a time. The government is attempting to avoid serving as a direct comparative scorecard, although a citizen can make comparisons by compiling a list of those individual scores.

The Insurance Institute, in disagreement, does not hesitate to compose comparisons in groups such as compact cars or mid-size sedans. However, among about 250 makes and models, 77 last year enjoy status as “top safety picks.” This is why it’s difficult to determine any tiny group of car safety superstars.

Overall, motor vehicles are becoming safer. Analysts say they observe far fewer cars and vans and trucks with low ratings, compared to past generations.

Almost all new vehicles now have brake transmission shift interlocks, which are intended to prevent children from putting a car into gear.

Another recent development is a focus on preventing rollovers, especially with larger vehicles. Purchasers are advised to inquire about electronic stability control.

SOURCES

http://www.iihs.org

http://www.safercar.gov

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/24/na-us-traffic-deaths-decline-fatality-rate-at-reco/

http://www.kbb.com/kbb/NewsAndReviews/BestResaleValueAwards.aspx

http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/safety_ratings/index.html

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/safety-recalls/index.htm? Extkey=SY95PI0&CMP=KNC-CROVMYSSP&HBX_OU=51&PK=yssp

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/280/safest-cars-on-the-road