Saab 9-3 scores well in the latest IIHS report

On June 9, 2011, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a non-profit group funded by auto insurance companies in the United States released a report entitled "Status Report: Dying in a Crash". The Saab 9-3 was rated the highest in its class and the 4th rated among cars.

The IIHS conducts crash tests as well as collects accident data. In its June 9th report, it released data collected between 2006 and 2009 for 2005-2008 model year cars. It reported the following data:

driver deaths (per million vehicle years)
driver deaths in multi-vehicle crashes
driver deaths in single vehicle crashes
driver deaths in single vehicle rollover crashes

The Audi A6 4WD and Mercedes E-class 4WD did not register any driver deaths. The Mercedes E-class did, however. The Saab 9-3 was next with 16 deaths per million vehicle years. The Saab 9-3 was also the best rated in the midsize car category. The Saab 9-5 was not listed, possibly due to the small numbers of that model on the roads.

The report also concluded that traction control systems have reduced the death rate of SUV drivers but have not reduced the death rate dramatically in cars. This is because cars do not roll over as often.

In contrast to the Saab 9-3 death rate of 16 per million vehicle years, the Nissan 350Z had the highest death rate at 143. Surprisingly, with the exception of the Toyota Sienna, with a death rate of zero, no minivan or station wagon scored better than the Saab 9-3. Minivans have the reputation of being driven by safe drivers.

Attachment 5053
a super 2005 Saab 9-3 in front of Superman

Link to IIHS report: http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4605.pdf