IF YOU have the misfortune to be involved in a road accident, you are usually better off sitting in a Saab than a car built by another manufacturer.
This is one of the recent conclusions drawn by the ranking list provided by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), an independent, USA-based research organisation supported by American insurance companies.
The HLDI provides insurance companies with data on accidents and road safety.
The latest study, covering vehicles built between 1998-2000, compares cars on the basis of the cost of injuries sustained following road accidents.
Two key variables are the frequency with which a given car is involved in a collision and the frequency with which accidents result in personal injury requiring compensation from the insurance companies.
The Saab 9-3 5-door is ranked top of its vehicle sector, and the 9-3 convertible and Saab 9-5 are classified among the very best in their respective categories.
Hakan Lundsten, manager of accident investigations for the Swedish company now part-owned by Ford, said: "It comes as no great surprise that Saab once again stands out in the HLDI survey.
"It's an important recognition of the real-life safety thinking that has always permeated Saab's product development work."
One of the many factors that help to explain why Saab drivers are less likely to suffer injury than others is the pioneering anti-whiplash Saab Active Head Restraint (SAHR).
Independent investigations reveal that SAHR reduces the risk of serious whiplash neck injuries by as much as 75 per cent.
Another factor explaining why Saab drivers are less likely to get injured than others is to be found right behind the steering wheel.
The combination of a safe car and a good driver is a fact, according to Hakan Lundsten.
He said: "How the car is driven is of course a very important factor. Saab builds exceptionally safe cars, and fortunately this seems to be contagious for those who drive them!"
