From October 30 The image of Ford Explorers mangled after their Firestone tires failed is a stark reminder that danger still lurks behind the wheel. But as the confusion over the Firestone recall shows, it has become more difficult than ever to know if the car you're dri ving is safe. Despite this progress, more than 40,000 people die in auto accidents each year, and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans under 35. I was startled when two friends who own sedans said they never checked the tire pressure on their cars and weren't even sure where to find the pressure number. F ailure to check tire pressure and do other maintenance can have serious safety consequences.
Some cars are safer than others, of course.
So, in the second part of this article, I've rated the vehicles that have scored the highest marks in government and insurance industry crash tests. And I've rated the three top sellers in each category for comp arison. I'll also tell you how to keep abreast of the latest car recall news and give you my take on what it's like to own a Ford Explorer. Here are our safety tips to live by. Time Inc. All rights reserved.