All posts by Mike

Sarah Kamp, 32, by Freeport, IL, Killed in SUV vs. SUV Crash

May 25, 2014 Mike

2018 update:

Jason Kamp, Sarah’s husband, won a $3 million settlement for wrongful death against Stephenson County due to the failure of the county to replace the sign or provide an adequate warning the morning of the crash. It doesn’t bring back his wife or unborn child, but it does hopefully make life easier for him and his son.

Who:

Sarah Kamp, 32, of Byron, an English teacher at Polo High School, was killed 5/20/13 at at 7:07 AM at the intersection of Rock City Rd and Montague Rd 6 miles to the SE of Freeport, IL. She drove a 2002 Toyota Rav4 and was impacted by a 2006 Saturn Vue driven by Barbara Faulkner, 56. Faulkner and a 19-year old passenger received non-life-threatening injuries. Per Kamp’s husband, Jason, she was pregnant and on the way to a medical checkup that morning. She leaves behind her husband and 21-month old son, Nathan.

How:

Per police reports, Kamp was westbound on Montague and entered the intersection with Rock City Rd without stopping at the stop sign that would typically have been located there. In the process, she was impacted by a northbound Vue on the driver’s side. She died at OSF in Rockford, where she was airlifted. All occupants were belted. Per police reports, the stop sign had been reported missing 16 minutes prior to the crash. The sign was located nearby in a field and had apparently been damaged by weather, suggesting it had been blown away the previous night due to weather conditions. Later reports revealed that the sign had been reported missing at the intersection up to an hour before the crash, but that the information had not been relayed to road crews until a few minutes before the crash.

Why:

This is a sad, sad case. From reading additional reports, it seems that weather conditions led to the sign’s displacement, the sign was reported missing at 6:51 AM, and that a dispatcher forgot to relay the information regarding the downed sign to the appropriate resources as s/he took another call. There was a 7 AM shift change, and no one was notified, and the crash then occurred at 7:07. It is unclear whether the highway department would have been able to reach the scene in time had the call been relayed, but it would certainly have helped Kamp’s odds of survival.

Given these dynamics, the 2002 RAV4 weighs ~3113 lbs and is classified as a small SUV. It has a “poor” side score, since it did not come with side airbags standard. The 2006 Vue weighs ~3534 lbs as a small SUV. It had a “good” frontal crash score.

Given the likely speeds of the collision (~55 mph), the collision likely imparted at least 485KJ of energy into the Rav4 / Vue. The standard side impact test simulates 143KJ of energy (a 3300-lb sled impacting a vehicle at 31 mph). In other words, the Rav4 occupant faced 339% of the force she’d have experienced in the types of crashes cars are side rated for. On top of this, her car already failed the side test due to high risks of pelvic fractures, serious neck injuries, rib fractures, and internal organ injuries.

Meanwhile, the Vue was designed to perform well in a frontal impact test simulating 256KJ of energy (i.e., a Vue impacting its twin at 40 mph). The Vue’s occupants faced 189% of these forces. Their survival was expected, despite the significantly higher forces, and is a testament to the “good” frontal score, the presence of front airbags, and the occupants’ use of seat belts. It is essential to note, however, given the split second dynamics of the crash, that had the Rav4 entered the intersection a moment later, it might have impacted the Vue in the passenger side, resulting in almost certain death to the 19-year old passenger and potentially to the vehicle’s driver, as the Vue also had a “poor” side impact score. The Rav4 driver, in turn, would almost certainly have survived such a crash.

I cannot recommend the 2002-era Rav4, 2006-era Vue, or any other vehicle that does not come standard with head/torso side airbags. The stakes are just too high.

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Budget Buys: The Safest Cars Under $12000, 2014 Edition

May 22, 2014 Mike

Buying a new safe car these days is easier than ever, as ever-more features become standardized across the US fleet, such as head/torso side airbags, electronic stability control, and good front, side, and roof scores. However, if you’re on a budget, the search does become significantly more challenging. Fortunately, there are safe cars available at every budget that are worth considering if you are invested in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe on the road. Here are my recommendations for the safest cars you’re likely to find for $12,000 or less as of May 2014. Prices are based on private party prices in the Chicago Craigslist. I’ll post similar lists for minivans and SUVs soon.

2005-2008 Audi A6 4WD

With a driver death rate (DDR) of zero, the 4WD A6 is one of the safest cars ever made. I only state “one of” because the E Class (below) also achieved a zero DDR. However, that doesn’t take away from the impressive accomplishment of the A6. It also comes with “good” front and side scores and an “acceptable” roof strength score, as well as ESC, ABS, and DRL, as well as front and rear head curtain airbags and front torso airbags. On paper and on the streets, it is a very safe car.

The primary downside to the Audi–well, to every Audi–is maintenance. You really need to know how to fix these or know someone who can do so cheaply, or you might easily spend the value of the car yearly in repairs.

There are currently 12 listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $8000 and $12000.

2005-2008 Mercedes E-Class 4WD / 2WD (e.g., E 350 or E 500)

The E Class continues its impressive legacy of safety by landing again on the safest vehicle list, this time with a DDR of zero in the 4WD version; it’s hard to get better than that. It is important to note that the 2WD received a DDR of 12, which was higher, though still impressive. It has front and rear head airbags and front torso airbags, a rollover sensor, ESC, ABS, and DRL. It has a “good” frontal score but lacks an official side score until 2007, when it received an “acceptable” score.

2005-2008 Saab 9-3

The Saab is another good choice in this price range. It comes with a DDR of 16 and “good” front and side scores, and an “acceptable” roof score. It is equipped with front and rear head and front torso airbags, ESC, ABS, and DRL.

The main downside to the Saab is the possibility of expensive repairs, as it is another European vehicle (like Volvo, VW, and Mercedes) with labor-intensive construction.

There are currently 8 listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $8000 and $12000.

2008 Honda Accord

The Accord is the best family car on this list because it is the one that will cost the least to keep on the road from a maintenance perspective. From a safety perspective, it’s a great deal with a DDR of 19, and has all of the features of the Saab 9-3, including “good” front and side scores and an “acceptable” roof score. It is equipped with front and rear head and front torso airbags, ESC, ABS, and DRL.

The main downsides to the Accord are the “acceptable” roof score, which is shared by most of the other cars in this price range. However, it is a reliable vehicle and is significantly more affordable to keep running, which makes it attractive for families already stretching their budgets to make the car purchase itself.

There are currently 22 listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $8000 and $12000.

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Stay tuned for future posts investigating the safety of minivans and SUVs in this price range. When it comes to keeping your family safe, driving safely and having safety gear is important. However, it is essential to make sure the vehicle you’re driving has the crashworthiness necessary to protect you in the event of a collision. If this list is helpful, share it with your friends and family to keep them safe.

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Budget Buys: The Safest Cars Under $7000, 2014 Edition

May 19, 2014 Mike

Buying a new safe car these days is easier than ever, as ever-more features become standardized across the US fleet, such as head/torso side airbags, electronic stability control, and good front, side, and roof scores. However, if you’re on a budget, the search does become significantly more challenging. Fortunately, there are safe cars available at every budget that are worth considering if you are invested in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe on the road. Here are my recommendations for the safest cars you’re likely to find for $7,000 or less as of May 2014. Prices are based on private party prices in the Chicago Craigslist. I’ll post similar lists for minivans and SUVs soon.

2003-2004 Infiniti G35

The G35 has one of the lowest driver death rates (DDR) ever calculated at 11, which rivals those of the newest vehicles on the road today. It came standard with ESC from 2003. It also comes with front and rear head curtain airbags and front torso airbags. It also comes with ABS. It also has a “good” frontal score, as does every vehicle on this list.

The downsides of the G35 are that it can be a bit expensive to maintain, even though it’s much cheaper to keep on the road than something like a Mercedes (next), Volkswagen, Audi, or Volvo. It also doesn’t come with a side impact score, although it would likely receive an “acceptable” or “marginal” score, based on the “acceptable” score of the 2006 G35, which had a reinforced side structure.

There are 30 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $4000 and $7000.

2003-2004 Mercedes E-Class (e.g., E 500 or E 320)

The E Class makes another appearance on the safest car list because of the plethora of features it contains. It has a DDR of 14. It comes with a “good” frontal score, front and rear head curtain airbags, front torso airbags, a rollover sensor, ESC, ABS, and DRL. On paper, it’s the safest car on this list. It is also the only vehicle in this list to feature the rollover sensor, where the side airbags are deployed when the computer senses an imminent rollover.

The primary downside to the Mercedes–well, to every Mercedes–is maintenance. You really need to know how to fix these or know someone who can do so cheaply, or you might easily spend the value of the car yearly in repairs. Besides that, it would also likely have received an “acceptable” or “marginal” side score due to the 2006 E Class receiving an “acceptable” score.

There are 2 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $4000 and $7000.

2004 Audi A4 / S4

The A4 / S4 makes a well-deserved appearance on this list due to its low DDR of 14 and rich range of safety features. It comes with a “good” frontal score, front and rear head curtain airbags, front torso airbags, ESC, ABS, and DRL.

There are 16 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $4000 and $7000.

2004 Lexus ES 330

The ES 330 joins the safety list with its DDR of 18. It comes with a “good” frontal score, front and rear head curtain airbags, front torso airbags, ABS, and DRL. However, it does not come standard with ESC, which is relegated to an option. It is, however, the only vehicle on this list with an actual side impact score, which was “good.”

The main disadvantages to the ES 330 include its lack of ESC as a standard feature. It does have the advantage of being the vehicle least likely to need repairs on this list.

There is 1 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $4000 and $7000.

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Stay tuned for future posts investigating the safety of minivans and SUVs in the next price range. When it comes to keeping your family safe, driving safely and having safety gear is important. However, it is essential to make sure the vehicle you’re driving has the crashworthiness necessary to protect you in the event of a collision. If this list is helpful, share it with your friends and family to keep them safe.

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Budget Buys: The Safest SUVs & Minivans Under $6000, 2014 Edition

May 16, 2014 Mike

Buying a new safe car these days is easier than ever, as ever-more features become standardized across the US fleet, such as head/torso side airbags, electronic stability control, and good front, side, and roof scores. However, if you’re on a budget, the search does become significantly more challenging. Fortunately, there are safe minivans and SUVs available at every budget that are worth considering if you are invested in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe on the road. Here are my recommendations for the safest minivans and SUVs you’re likely to find for $6000 or less as of May 2014. Prices are based on private party prices in the Chicago Craigslist. I posted a similar list for cars a bit earlier.

2001-2002 Toyota 4Runner

The 2001-2002 Toyota 4Runner has one of the lowest driver death rates ever calculated at 12. It comes with ESC starting in 2001 4WD models, as well as ABS standard from 2001 onward. However, it lacks side airbags of any kind, and it only has an “acceptable” frontal crash score. That said, the head/neck subscore is “good”, which is the most important subscore in front or side collisions.

Furthermore, while the driver death rate for the ’01-’02 4Runner is 12, it’s worth keeping in mind that all 6 single vehicle deaths came from rollovers, suggesting the roof score, if it had been rated, would be “poor.”

The main disadvantages of the 4Runner lie in the lack of side airbags. Its advantages include its very low driver death rate and exceptional degree of reliability.

There are 7 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $3000 and $6000.

2002-2004 Mercedes M Class (e.g., ML320)

The ML320 is an exceptionally safe vehicle on paper, with front and rear head curtain airbags and front and rear-mounted torso airbags. It comes with a “good” frontal score. It also comes standard with ESC and ABS. The M Class has a driver death rate of 14, which again is one of the lowest calculated in any safety report.

The primary downside to the Mercedes–well, to every Mercedes–is maintenance. You really need to know how to fix these or know someone who can do so cheaply, or you might easily spend the value of the car yearly in repairs.

There are 3 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $3000 and $6000.

2001-2002 Lexus RX 300

The RX 300 is a great choice for a safe and reliable SUV on a budget. It comes standard with ESC, ABS, DRL, and front torso side airbags. It comes with a “good” front score. The structural component of the score is only “acceptable”, which isn’t my favorite, but again, the head/neck component is “good”, which is the most important part. The driver death rate for the ’01-’02 RX 300 is 17, which is again very reassuring.

The main disadvantages of the RX300 lie in the lack of side head airbags. Its advantages include its very low driver death rate and exceptional degree of reliability, as a Lexus is essentially a fancy Toyota.

There are 5 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $3000 and $6000.

2004+ Toyota Sienna

The Sienna is the first minivan to make the list, and is one of the safest vehicles money can buy. It does not come with head/torso airbags standard until 2006, although the highest trim levels do include it from 2004. ESC is also optional in 2004 except on the highest trim levels. However, it comes with a “good” frontal score (which includes every subscore). Furthermore, the driver death rate for the ’04 Sienna is 17.

The main disadvantages of the Toyota lie in the lack of side airbags of any kind, as well as the lack of ESC as standard features. Its advantages include its very low driver death rate and exceptional degree of reliability.

There are 5 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $3000 and $6000.

1999-2004 Honda Odyssey

Like the Sienna, the Odyssey makes the top safety lists year after year for good reason; it has a history of safe performance on the road. The Odyssey comes with a “good” frontal score (although the structural score is only “acceptable”, the head/neck subscore is “good”), ABS, and front side torso bags starting in 2002. Downsides to the Odyssey include the lack of ESC or head side airbags in any trim levels. The ’99-’04 generation are also susceptible to repeated transmission failures.

The driver death rate for the ’99-’02 Odyssey is 19, while the driver death rate for the ’02 to ’04 Odyssey, which is an extension of the same generation, is nearly identical at 17.

There are 66 2002+ Odysseys currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $3000 and $6000.

2003-2004 Honda Pilot

The Pilot has also earned a safety reputation over the years. The 2003 Pilot has a “good” frontal score. It also comes standard with front torso airbags and ABS. However, it doesn’t come with ESC until 2005.

The Pilot comes with a low driver death rate of 19 for the 2003-2004 model years. Its main disadvantages include the lack of ESC and head airbags.

There are 11 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $3000 and $6000.

2001-2004 BMW X5

On paper, the X5 is a highly impressive vehicle. It comes standard with front side head and torso airbags, while rear head airbags became standard in 2003. It is only the second vehicle on this list to feature head airbag protection. It also features ESC and ABS standard. As a result, its low driver death rate of 19 is hardly surprising. It also has a “good” frontal score.

However, despite the very low driver death rate, it’s worth noting that the 2000-2002 X5 has a calculated driver death rate of 33. In both cases, rollovers made up nearly all of the fatalities in single vehicle crashes, suggesting it would have received a “poor” roof score had it been rated.

The primary downside to the BMW–well, to every BMW–is maintenance. You really need to know how to fix these or know someone who can do so cheaply, or you might easily spend the value of the car yearly in repairs.

There are 4 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $3000 and $6000.

2003+ Volvo XC90

Last but not least, the Volvo XC90 deserves a mention. It is quite possible that this may be the safest vehicle in the entire list, even though it is the only vehicle present without a measured driver death rate. Why consider it without an objective, real-world assessment of its crashworthiness?

That’s because on paper, it’s the safest SUV here. It comes standard with head airbags for all three rows and front-mounted torso airbags. It has a rollover sensor to deploy side airbags before impending rollovers, and is the only vehicle on this list to do so. It also includes ESC, ABS, and DRL. It comes with “good” moderate overlap and small overlap scores, as well as a roof score, and is the only vehicle here to feature roof and small overlap scores this long ago.

With all of these stellar features, what’s there not to love about the XC90? Well, like any modern Volvo, it can cost an arm and a leg to repair. Several XC90s came with defective transmissions (stay away from the T6 models) and a number of other frustrations that lead many to sell them. However, if you’ve got deep pockets, a trusted mechanic, or the time and skills to repair it, there isn’t a safer vehicle on the list.

There are 4 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $3000 and $6000.

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This list is not all-inclusive. Despite having low driver death rates, I left a number of vehicles off this list, including various years of the Chevrolet Astro, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, and Sequoia. Some of these vehicles were left off because they either did not include ESC as a standard feature, came with poor frontal scores, or lacked side torso airbags as well as side head airbags.

Stay tuned for future posts investigating the safety of cars in this price range. When it comes to keeping your family safe, driving safely and having safety gear is important. However, it is essential to make sure the vehicle you’re driving has the crashworthiness necessary to protect you in the event of a collision. If this list is helpful, share it with your friends and family to keep them safe.

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Budget Buys: The Safest Cars Under $3000, 2014 Edition

May 14, 2014 Mike

Buying a new safe car these days is easier than ever, as ever-more features become standardized across the US fleet, such as head/torso side airbags, electronic stability control, and good front, side, and roof scores. However, if you’re on a budget, the search does become significantly more challenging. Fortunately, there are safe cars available at every budget that are worth considering if you are invested in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe on the road. Here are my recommendations for the safest cars you’re likely to find for $3000 or less as of May 2014. Prices are based on private party prices in the Chicago Craigslist. I’ll post similar lists for minivans and SUVs soon.

2000-2002 Mercedes E Class (e.g., E 320)

The Mercedes E 320 is, hands down, the safest car available at under 3k today, simply due to its extremely low driver death rate of 10, which rivals those of the newest vehicles on the road today. It came standard with ESC from 2000. It came standard with front and rear head airbags and front torso bags from 1999; rear torso bags were added in 2000. Most brand new vehicles today still don’t come with rear torso bags. ESC only became required on all new vehicles 2 years ago in 2012, while it’s been standard in the E Class for 14 years. It also has a “good” frontal score.

There are currently 2 listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $1000 and $3000.

2001-2004 Volkswagen Passat

The Passat is a car I’d recommend from the safety perspective, if not from the maintenance point of view. From 2001 onward, it comes with front head/torso side airbags and rear head airbags. It has a “good” frontal score, though no side or roof scores, and comes with ABS and daytime running lights. ESC became an option from 2003 onward. The 2000-2002 Passat has a driver death rate of 16, while the 2001-2004 Passat has a driver death rate of 35. It is unclear why the death rate doubled, but it suggests that the lower death rate between 2000 and 2002 may have had more to do with good fortune than with the safety of the vehicle.

The primary downside to the Passat is its reliability. They’re complex cars that require either skilled owners or trusted mechanics. Without either, the cost of ownership can rise quite quickly.

There are 27 currently listed in the Chicago Craigslist between $1000 and $3000.

2000-2002 Toyota Avalon

The Avalon is another highly recommended choice in this budget range. It came standard with front torso airbags, ABS, and daytime running lights. It weighs in at 3468 lbs. Unfortunately, it does not come with head airbags. However, it is only available in two trim levels: XL and XLS, and the XLS trim level comes standard with ESC, so keep an eye out for these. The Avalon weighs 3468 lbs and has a “good” frontal score. The 2000-2002 driver death rate is 45, while the ’01-’04 rate is 39. The 2001-2004 Avalon is functionally identical to the 2000 to 2002 Avalon, as both are within the same 2000-2004 generation.

The primary downside to the Avalon is the lack of side head airbags. However, they are extremely reliable cars, with some drivers reporting upwards of 500k miles on original engines and transmissions.

There are 4 currently listed in Chicago between $1000 and $3000.

2000-2002 Volvo S80

The Volvo makes the list because it is another solid contender with front and rear head airbags and front torso airbags. It also comes standard with ABS and DRL and a “good” frontal score. It weighs in at 3576 lbs. Unfortunately, it does not come with ESC, and like all other vehicles of this time period, it does not come with side or roof scores. However, ESC is available as an option. The 1999-2002 driver death rate is 45. The 2001-2004 death rate is 29. While it does not come with a side rating, it would likely have received a “marginal” or “acceptable” side score based on the performance of the S60 at the time, with which it shares a number of structural components.

The downside to the S80, as is the case with most of the cars on this list, lies in reliability and the costs of maintenance, which can be significant for Volvos overall. There are also transmission issues with several S80s of this age.

There are 6 currently listed in Chicago between $1000 and $3000.

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Not every safe vehicle in this budget range is on the list. For example, the Volvo V70 and S60 from this era would also be worth considering, although I did not include either since driver death rate data was unavailable for either vehicle.

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35,000 Americans will die this year on the road. You don't have to be one of them. A car seat and car safety blog to promote best practices for families.