37% of all new car shoppers consider fuel economy over safety in latest report by Consumer Index? After reading this statistic (as reported by Consumer Reports 5/12) I was appalled. As a senior member of the automotive industry I have had the unfortunate opportunity to see hundreds of totalled cars, and only a few which my clients walked away unscathed.  All to often the results have been arduous months of physical and mental rehabilitation, not to mention the costs associated with the accident, not including the car replacement.  I can only assume that the reason for this shift is not merely a budget decision during tough times, or a sudden urgency to “go Green”, but the misunderstood safety and crash test ratings of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration=NHTSA. For years we have been told the best cars have 5 STAR safety crash test ratings. But how those stars were decided was never part of the car sales training process.  Then came the adjunct side rollover and off-center crash tests which seemed to address every type of vehicle, but added more confusion to the 5 STAR badge, since many cars failed in one or more areas of impact. Fast forward to the latest NHTSA Crash test remake, thanks to a woman studying a higher preponderance of injury and fatalities in crashes involving women, only to determine and announce, historical data on the infamous “crash test dummy” excluded a great number of women and teen drivers who fell under the male-defined height and weight class in all seating positions previously tested.  In 2010 NHTSA announced ALL NEW safety ratings for 2011 vehicles to include male and females with average minimum 120 weight and 5’2″ height. In addition, testing included a host of variables for angle and speed crashes, and fuel economy in real-time environment studies, i.e.: driving in the summer 114 degree heat from Death Valley California to Phoenix, Arizona with the air conditioning, iPod and pedal pumping over 65mph.  All this new information resulted in a major shift of our consumer car buying “emotional intelligence”.

Miles per gallon over body damage, the new hot button.

“Is it really worth sacrificing the quality and safety of the car for a few extra miles per gallon?” I asked my friend, a well-known Las Vegas personal injury attorney: Robert Adams. “Only until the person is in a car accident and the result is they can’t walk. Then it’s the car’s fault and everything else goes out the window.” was Adams response, “As a product liability and personal injury attorney, I have seen it all, which is why I recommend the safest cars rated by a multiple of testing resources before making a purchase.” My (mycarlady) car buying suggestions have always been, to buy the SAFEST CAR you can afford, when addressing client needs. This has often included a pre-owned model with a higher rating and more safety features than a new model of a lesser quality. “I think people assume in today’s day and age, with all the new technology, that all cars on the road are equal in safety,” Adams concluded. With the launch of the 2012 car sales season starting this weekend, Memorial Day Holiday Sales events, Sale-a-brations and family vacation excursions planned around a certain mini-van or SUV, please re-consider the value of 22 mpg vs. 27 mpg.   The difference in fuel efficiency is not always in the 4 cyl vs. 6 cyl engine output but might likely be a result of lower quality materials, missing knee blockers, curtain-side airbags, reinforced angled door crossbeams and B pillars, roll cages or adjustable seatbelts. As you take the pen to sign your deal, pause a minute to rethink your value system and weigh the cost of a physically debilitating accident over a few dollars a year. ————————————— Sarah Lee Marks is MyCarlady. She has over 22+ years of experience. She writes about cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. MyCarlady offers free car buying advice, and private, auto-related services to help you maintain your personal or commercial vehicles. Call Sarah Lee for more information: 702-521-7546 —————————————-        ]]>