9 Auto Safety Resolutions to Make This Year

With nine 2012 IIHS Top Safety Picks[1] in the Volkswagen roster, we know a thing or two about protecting drivers—like Brendan and Susie Prout of San Diego, California, who each survived a dangerous crash in a Volkswagen.

Known for its dedication to safety, Volkswagen has taken the technology even further. The 2012 Jetta SportWagen, for example, comes with anti-slip regulation and pinch-protection windows, so you don’t have to worry about little arms or fingers getting caught. The 2012 Routan, our newest IIHS Top Safety Pick, has seven airbags[2] and a crash-optimized front end to help protect your family.

“Having crash-tested a Volkswagen, I feel very comfortable being in a VW and trust having my family in one,” Brendan says.

Join us in making these nine safety resolutions for the New Year in honor of our nine IIHS Top Safety Picks.

1. Always wear a safety belt. Safety belts save lives and help reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash. Every passenger should wear a safety belt for every car ride, no exceptions (and in some parts of the country it’s unlawful not to wear one). To help you remember, all Volkswagen vehicles come with an alarm that will alert you and the front passenger to put on your safety belts when the car starts.
2. Only use hands-free mobile devices. This year, vow not to call, text, sort music or otherwise play with your mobile device while behind the wheel. If you must talk on the phone while driving, use a hands-free headset or pull over to a safe location first. In 2009, 36 percent of crashes were caused by distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Enforce the rule with young drivers in your house too. Fifty percent of teens admit to texting while driving, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
3. Keep your cool. Let go of road rage. That means taking a deep breath when someone cuts you off rather than honking your horn or tailgating. It also means slowing down and steering clear if you see a driver acting erratically. The risks are real: Up to 56 percent of fatal crashes are caused by aggressive driving behavior according to the AAA Foundation. Take AAA’s aggressive driver quiz to find out whether you tend to be hostile or calm behind the wheel.
4. Follow the speed limit. We know you’re in a hurry, but slowing down could save your life. According to the NHTSA, speeding is a contributing factor in 31 percent of fatal crashes. Male drivers age 15 to 24 are particularly at risk—37 to 39 percent involved in fatal crashes were speeding.
5. Stay grounded in a skid. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) applies anti-lock brakes (ABS) to individual tires to help keep your car going straight in a slide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires all 2012 vehicles to include ESC, an improvement estimated to save up to 9,600 lives and prevent up to 238,000 injuries each year.[3] Fortunately, ESC comes standard on all Volkswagen models from 2009 onward. If your car does not have ABS, tap your brakes to avoid locking your wheels and going into a slide.
6. Boost your brakes. To help vehicles stop faster, Volkswagen added hydraulic brake assist (HBA) to our ABS to help keep you in control. HBA senses how hard you’re hitting the brakes and gives you a boost of stopping power.
7. Monitor your tire pressure. Winter’s cold temperatures can deflate tires and reduce tire traction, which can cause you to lose control of your car. But Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) alert you when a tire loses air on models such as the Jetta, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan.
8. Absorb impact. In the event of a collision, Volkswagen vehicles come standard with front and side airbags[2] and have crash-optimized front-ends with crumple zones that help take the brunt of a blow.
9. Know what to do after a collision. After a crash you should unlock doors, turn on hazard lights and turn off the car. If you have a car with our Intelligent Crash-Response System (ICRS),[4] it does these things for you—even cutting power to the fuel pump. Learn how ICRS gives our customers peace of mind.