Small Cars Becoming More Popular, Safer

As gas prices rise, drivers are considering smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Automakers have designed small cars to be safer than ever before by adding side air bags and using high-strength steel to reinforce the sides. The death rate for drivers of the smallest cars dropped in 2006, making small cars safer than small pickups. To further help small-car occupants, automakers are designing cars so their bumpers align when they crash and equipping them with collision-avoidance systems. Small-car sales are up 12 percent this year, while light-truck sales have fallen 16 percent. Now most small cars get good IIHS front crash ratings, whereas none did in 1997. For more information, go to http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080625/AUTO01/806250374

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