If you only have one thousand dollars with which to spend towards safety features in a vehicle, use it to purchase a bigger vehicle. In the end, this will help you avoid calls to your emergency roadside assistance program. Small cars are involved in twice as many fatalities as larger vehicles.

According to the laws of physics, the bigger a vehicle is, the lower the force that will reach the compartment with occupants.  This is due to the fact that in an impact, the energy can spread over a larger area, therefore dissipating more readily.

But don’t make the mistake of equating size and weight.  When it comes to safety in crashes, size is a beneficial thing, but weight is actually hostile.  A vehicle that is heavy will push lighter cars out of the way in an accident, however it will deliver more of an impact, which can cause more harm.

Consumers who are looking for a safe vehicle should purchase one that is large but lightweight.  It should be designed to absorb the impact of a crash without actually causing it.  A large vehicle that is heavy will be safer for occupants than a small car, however it’s weight will often contribute to the damage involved in a crash.