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Choosing the safest vehicle for your driving needs isn't easy, but it is important. Here are the things you need to consider to choose the safest vehicle for your family. I recently went through this process, and I'll explain what you need to look for to choose a safe vehicle, and why I chose the vehicle I did.

First, you should look for a vehicle that rates highly in crash tests, for front, side and rear impacts. There is a huge range in the safety ratings of even vehicles in the same class.

Second, you should insist on anti-lock brakes. Don't buy any vehicle without them. Anti-lock brakes keep your brakes from locking in an emergency braking situation, and keep you in control of your vehicle.

Third, you should select a vehicle with full airbags, including side curtain airbags. In a serious accident airbags can save your life.

One often overlooked safety feature is electronic stability control. This feature prevents you from losing control of your vehicle. You literally can't make it spin out. If you want to do do-nuts in an icy parking lot you'll have to turn it off. It dramatically reduces accidents and will soon be as common a feature on vehicles as anti-lock brakes.

Finally, you should consider a vehicle of enough size and weight to withstand a collision with the vehicles in the areas where you drive. If you just scoot around town, you may be OK with a smaller vehicle with great fuel economy, but if you drive in an area dominated by SUVs and pick-up trucks you may wish something larger. Unfortunately, there has never been a greater disparity between the largest passenger vehicles and the smallest ones. It's safest when all vehicles are similar
in size and weight. Small vehicles lose out to large ones in collisions.

My choice, after I considered all of the above factors? A Subaru B9 Tribeca. Funny name, odd appearance, but loaded with safety features, including all of the above and also some features unique to it. Like an engine with shear bolts that will drop the engine in the event of a head-on crash so that it goes under the vehicle rather than into the passenger compartment. It even has a special brake pedal designed to reduce the chance of leg injury in an accident.

Although it's quality vehicle, the Tribeca hasn't exactly been flying off dealer lots, so you can get one at a great price (and its looks grow on you, and many people seem to like them judging by the comments I've received).

But whatever vehicle you decide on, if you insist on the above safety features, you'll be sure to choose a safe vehicle that will protect you and your passengers.

Learn more about this author, David Riel.
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