The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is out with its top safety picks for 2018 and the head of that agency says the results of its crash tests are good news for the driving public.
The IIHS which conducts crash tests and evaluates automobile safety standards says it's pleased with how well manufacturers are making the grade.
This year, 62 vehicle models earned the institute's top safety pick award. Fifteen of those earning its highest award despite tougher criteria requiring better headlights and enhanced passenger side protection.
"Most drivers when they buy a car they think the passenger is going to be protected as well as they are, our new test is to try to achieve that," said IIHS President Adrian Lund.
To earn the awards, vehicles go through a number of crash tests to show they can protect occupants in front, side, rollover and rear impact collisions as well as testing automatic emergency breaking systems.
"Fifteen vehicles meeting these new tougher criteria for top safety pick plus is a good news story for consumers," said Lund.
Leading the way this year for the most top safety pick plus awards are Hyundai and Subaru.
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"What you are seeing with those two companies is they are responding very quickly when they learn new ways to modify their vehicles to protect their customers," Lund said.
