What Are the Most Dangerous Cars on the Road?

When it comes to safety, not all cars are designed equally. Some vehicles pose a significantly higher risk due to poor crash test ratings, outdated safety features, or design flaws. Understanding which cars perform the worst can help you make better decisions for your safety and that of your passengers.

This post looks into some of the most dangerous cars currently on the road and what causes them to perform worse than other modern vehicles. Not all of the vehicles have subpar crash test results, but whether it’s outdated safety technology or something else causing these cars to make the list, purchasers should think about what risks they are willing to accept.

MotorTrend recently listed their top ten deadliest cars you can drive, encompassing a wide variety of vehicles. Per MotorTrend, “The index is based on deaths per million registered vehicles, gathered from 2018 to 2021 for vehicles from the 2020 model year (or that same generation).”

Their list is as follows, in ascending order:

• Chevrolet Sonic: 107 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Chevrolet Camaro Coupe: 110 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Kia Forte: 111 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Nissan Altima: 113 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Dodge Charger (HEMI): 118 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Kia Rio: 122 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Chevrolet Spark: 151 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Hyundai Accent: 152 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Dodge Challenger: 154 deaths per million registered vehicles.
• Mitsubishi Mirage: 205 deaths per million registered vehicles.

Why are these vehicles so dangerous?

Several factors can contribute to a car’s safety rating:

• Vehicle Design: Cars should absorb and distribute impact forces during a crash. Weak structural integrity means the vehicle is not protecting occupants as well as it should. Design should also include safety features because those that lack proper airbags, seat belt technology, and other advanced safety systems are more dangerous. Another issue is whether the vehicle offers visibility from the driver’s seat. Large blind spots can lead to car accidents.
• Vehicle Age: Older cars may not have the same safety features as newer models. Many features, like backup cameras, are now required in all new cars. Older vehicles can still be on the road, even though they may lack these now mandatory types of features.
• Maintenance: Vehicles will not perform as well if the owner doesn’t take them in for regular maintenance. For instance, poorly maintained or old tires may create an increased risk of accidents. Also, worn brake pads or braking systems that are otherwise not optimal may reduce a vehicle’s ability to make quick stops, increasing the chance of the driver rear-ending another car.
• Driver Behavior: Even the safest car can be dangerous if the driver is reckless or distracted. Some of the vehicles that make the list of most dangerous may be appealing to drivers who want to travel at high speeds or drive aggressively. Muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger have a lot of horsepower and may be more popular with risk-taking motorists.

Some specific factors that can make a car unsafe include:

• Poor crash test ratings: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conduct crash tests to assess a vehicle’s safety. Those tests offer insight into how the cars perform in various impacts, including front, side, and rear. A vehicle that receives poor results may have flaws that make it less able to protect occupants in a crash.
• Lack of safety features: New cars often come with features like electronic stability control, lane departure warning, or automatic emergency braking. Some safety features are optional, even in newer cars. Also, older cars may not have many of the safety features that are standard in newer vehicles.
• Recalls: Cars with unresolved recalls for serious safety defects can pose life-threatening dangers. Issues with defective airbags a few years ago, for example, made millions of cars extremely dangerous to drivers. It’s important for drivers to take recalls seriously and bring their vehicles in for regular service.

It’s important to research the safety of any car before purchasing. A few things to look at include crash test ratings, safety features, and any known recalls. Additionally, consider your driving habits and the conditions in which you’ll be driving. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of snow and ice, for instance, you may want to choose a vehicle with AWD or 4WD that will handle better when you are driving in bad weather.

Vehicles dangerous to pedestrians

Certain vehicles are not only dangerous for their occupants but also pose a heightened risk to pedestrians. According to the IIHS, vehicles with taller front ends—especially pickups, SUVs, and vans—are far more dangerous to pedestrians. Vehicles with hood heights greater than 40 inches are 45% more likely to cause fatalities in pedestrian crashes than vehicles with hood heights of 30 inches or less.

According to the IIHS, vehicle design is also leading to a worrying rise in pedestrian fatalities. Between 2009 and 2021, pedestrian deaths increased by 80%. In 2021 alone, nearly 7,400 pedestrians died in accidents. That number works out to a shocking 20+ people per day. The cause of this disturbing rise in fatal pedestrian crashes has to do with larger vehicles that now dominate US roadways. Over the last 30 years, the average vehicle in America has become four inches wider, ten inches longer, and eight inches taller. Many exceed 40 inches in hood height. The higher-up vehicles are making it much more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians. Additionally, when a driver in these larger vehicles does hit a person who is walking or cycling, they are more likely to strike at the level of the victim’s torso than their legs. The flat front is an added risk as pedestrians don’t roll over it as they would with a sloped hood. As a result, the injuries are more severe than they would be if the car involved had been a lower-to-the-ground sedan with a sloped hood.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving one of these dangerous vehicles, don’t hesitate to reach out for legal assistance. The Columbus personal injury attorneys at Soroka & Associates, LLC are here to help you handle the complexities of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today for a free consultation, and let us help you take the first step toward financially securing your future. Call our office or submit our contact form to receive the legal support and guidance you deserve today at a free consultation. We happily serve clients throughout Central Ohio.