Convertible Safety

Be safe this summer and still keep the top down

When you're weighing the safety considerations of a convertible, you naturally want to avoid thinking about a rollover accident. And the fact is you don't really need to.

Built-In Safety

Following its recent crash tests of 10 convertible models, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported the overall risk of fatalities is no higher for convertibles than any other body style. Statistics show that rag-top rollover accidents are actually far rarer than SUV rollovers because of the convertible's low center of gravity and the electronic stability control built into most modern cars.

Crash test results for front, rear and side collisions showed that many convertibles received top ratings - some received low ratings consistent with results for their hard-top cousins. Further, most convertibles offer safety features such as roll bars, head and side airbags, and windshield pillars so strong they support the weight of the car while upside-down.

Make it Safe

So, when considering safety while riding with the top down, here are a few things you really should think about:

• Wear a snug-fitting hat and sunscreen. You are far more likely to suffer a sunburn than road-rash.
• Secure loose articles. You don't want to be distracted in traffic trying to secure that all-important paper that's about to blow out of the car.
• Wear sunglasses or your regular glasses to keep wind-borne debris out of your eyes.
• Keep a small bottle of lotion, some lip balm and eye-drops in the glove box to counteract the wind's drying effects.
• If you really want to impress your potential long-haired passengers, also keep a few hair clips, hair ties or scrunchies in the glove box.
• When you park, look up. If you're under anything that provides a roosting place for birds, you may want to put the top up temporarily. (OK, that's not really a safety tip, but you can appreciate it anyway!)
• And though we shouldn't have to say it, always wear your safety belt, strap small children securely in safety seats, and never put a child in the front seat with a rear-facing child seat if you have an active passenger airbag.

Now go enjoy your summer with the top down!

by Steve Holder

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