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Asked: May 09, 2009 - 11:52 AM

Status: Closed

I want the safest vehicle I can buy after being hit twice - any suggestions?

I was in my 2nd maor accident earlier this week and am terrified of the "other guy". I want THE safest car I can get...is it a Hummer? Any ideas?

In Car Safety > Safe Driving
4 answers - 200 days ago

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zaken1

Date: May 09, 2009
Time: 04:06 PM

Are you saying that you were more seriously injured in those two accidents than you could have been, because the car you were driving was not as safe as it could have been; or are you just hoping to now become invulnerable to the problems of life that we all face?

There are severe disadvantages and major downsides to buying extreme vehicles like a Hummer. One of the most obvious problems is that GM is about to drop that brand. And then there are the terrible fuel costs. Besides, you can be killed or badly injured in an accident in a Hummer, or even in a Sherman tank; just like in any other vehicle. You can also be killed or injured if you step outside your house, and just walk across the street. Some things cannot be avoided; regardless of whether you drive the safest vehicle on earth, or even if you stop driving altogether.

Rather than hoping to find a nuclear option, it seems to me that the biggest problem in your situation is the extreme fear you now experience. Being terrified of the other guy creates severe handicaps in a person's driving skill, in their reflexes, and in their judgment. And those handicaps greatly increase the likelihood of your becoming involved in future accidents; because the fear of taking certain risks, which are necessary for survival in extreme situations, will prevent you from responding effectively and appropriately.

There is no insurance that can avoid our fate. But that doesn't mean you are doomed or helpless; it just means that you need to take a different route. The most powerful and effective thing you can do is to take action to transcend and dispel those fears; by becoming empowered, and thus rediscovering your own strength and abilities. When a military pilot becomes involved in an accident; the first thing their commanding officers do is to put them back into a plane, and show them that they still can fly as well as they previously did; that is also what successful race teams do for drivers who have crashed. It is also what top athletic trainers do for athletes who have lost their confidence and balance. The common factor in all those situations, along with yours; is that our own fear becomes our worst enemy. It creates a distorted image of the extent and nature of the danger, and it will tyrannize us for the rest of our lives; unless we decide we don't want to live like that.

Instead of vainly spending money on buying a tank, in order to gain a false sense of security; I suggest that you spend a small fraction of that amount to take specialized, hands on courses in defensive driving and accident avoidance. Thses courses are taught by professional drivers who are skilled at maneuvering and anticipating potential accident situations. The techniques you'll learn in those course will make you a far safer, more confident, and more secure driver; both in the car, and in everyday life. The more courses you take, the more confident and skilled you will become. It may be a slow process at the beginning; but it will grow as you gain experience, and find teachers you can work well with.

A typical school of this type is http://www.customizedtraining.com/public.... You can do a Google search for "defensive driving/accident avoidance courses" to find similar courses in your area.

Answers

avatar

tony78

Date: May 09, 2009
Time: 03:02 PM

The safest vehicle ? hmm,,

1. M1A1 Abrahms,,armor plating.seats 4, top speed 42 mph, Textron-Lycoming AGT-1500 Gas Turbine engine generating 1500 bhp @ 30,000 rpm.


2. 1957 Chevrolet Belair ( classy ride ),,,99% heavy guage steel construction, Super Turbo Fire 283 ( 283 hp ) ( Ram-Jet, fuel injection )


3. 1992 Peterbilt 379 Conventional,,Bigger is better. Cat C-15 engine, 475 hp, 13 speed transmission.

avatar

boomchek

Date: May 09, 2009
Time: 03:08 PM

The only thing that can help with your fears is by being in a large high up vehicle, most likely a full size SUV or truck.

They may not be the safest, but will FEEL safest.

As for THE safest, any vehicles with 5 star frontal and side impact safety ratings are good at absorbing the energy in impacts so that the occupants stay safe, but that rating can be extended to subcomapcts as well, so although theoreitcally you'd have a good chance of minimizing injuries in an accident, you might not FEEL safe due to the vehicle's size.

avatar

zaken1

Date: May 09, 2009
Time: 04:06 PM

Are you saying that you were more seriously injured in those two accidents than you could have been, because the car you were driving was not as safe as it could have been; or are you just hoping to now become invulnerable to the problems of life that we all face?

There are severe disadvantages and major downsides to buying extreme vehicles like a Hummer. One of the most obvious problems is that GM is about to drop that brand. And then there are the terrible fuel costs. Besides, you can be killed or badly injured in an accident in a Hummer, or even in a Sherman tank; just like in any other vehicle. You can also be killed or injured if you step outside your house, and just walk across the street. Some things cannot be avoided; regardless of whether you drive the safest vehicle on earth, or even if you stop driving altogether.

Rather than hoping to find a nuclear option, it seems to me that the biggest problem in your situation is the extreme fear you now experience. Being terrified of the other guy creates severe handicaps in a person's driving skill, in their reflexes, and in their judgment. And those handicaps greatly increase the likelihood of your becoming involved in future accidents; because the fear of taking certain risks, which are necessary for survival in extreme situations, will prevent you from responding effectively and appropriately.

There is no insurance that can avoid our fate. But that doesn't mean you are doomed or helpless; it just means that you need to take a different route. The most powerful and effective thing you can do is to take action to transcend and dispel those fears; by becoming empowered, and thus rediscovering your own strength and abilities. When a military pilot becomes involved in an accident; the first thing their commanding officers do is to put them back into a plane, and show them that they still can fly as well as they previously did; that is also what successful race teams do for drivers who have crashed. It is also what top athletic trainers do for athletes who have lost their confidence and balance. The common factor in all those situations, along with yours; is that our own fear becomes our worst enemy. It creates a distorted image of the extent and nature of the danger, and it will tyrannize us for the rest of our lives; unless we decide we don't want to live like that.

Instead of vainly spending money on buying a tank, in order to gain a false sense of security; I suggest that you spend a small fraction of that amount to take specialized, hands on courses in defensive driving and accident avoidance. Thses courses are taught by professional drivers who are skilled at maneuvering and anticipating potential accident situations. The techniques you'll learn in those course will make you a far safer, more confident, and more secure driver; both in the car, and in everyday life. The more courses you take, the more confident and skilled you will become. It may be a slow process at the beginning; but it will grow as you gain experience, and find teachers you can work well with.

A typical school of this type is http://www.customizedtraining.com/public.... You can do a Google search for "defensive driving/accident avoidance courses" to find similar courses in your area.

avatar

steve_

Date: May 09, 2009
Time: 10:05 PM

If I wanted to buy a passenger vehicle (sedan or SUV) and safety was my only concern, I'd look at a Mercedes. Something bigger than the entry level C class.

I'm not the most skilled driver in the world, I'm older, my reflexes aren't what they used to be, my vision isn't holding up too well and I'm overdue for an accident. Naturally I'm shopping for a used Miata. Go figure eh?

I hope the old saw about bad things coming in threes doesn't hold true for you and hope that you don't wind up in another wreck. Or me either. :-)

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