Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes by Make in Rhode Island

Fatal car accidents are unfortunately common, and the sudden loss of a loved one from a vehicular event can cause pain and suffering for family members as well as an unnecessary financial burden.

In April 2017, three young women from West Warwick who were not wearing seat belts were ejected from their vehicle. The vehicle struck a light pole, and the car was split in two.

The women were passengers in the car, and the 21-year-old male driver is now facing related legal charges. This is just one of many fatal car accidents in Rhode Island, and many of these incidents could have been prevented.

There are two primary types of fatal accidents. The first type is a sudden death fatal accident, and these involve victims who pass away at the scene of the accident, such as in the car accident in West Warwick.

The second type of fatal car accident is an eventual death fatal car accident. With this type of event, victims may be transported to a hospital and receive treatment for a period of time before passing away from their injuries.

Distracted Driving in Rhode Island

There are many causes of fatal car accidents in Rhode Island and across the United States, and one of the primary causes is distracted driving. In fact, it is estimated that one out of every 10 fatal car accidents is caused by a form of distracted driving. The three primary forms of distracted driving are cognitive, manual and visual.

• A cognitive distraction takes the driver’s attention away from the activity of operating the car, such as talking to someone else in the vehicle or on a cell phone.
• A manual distraction pulls at least one of the driver’s hands off of the steering wheel; this may include reaching for a ringing phone, smoking or taking a sip of coffee.
• A visual distraction pulls the driver’s eyesight off of the road, and one example of this is reading a text message on a phone.

Some accidents involve all three types of distraction. For example, in 2011, a 23-year-old woman died in a car accident in Johnston. The woman was not wearing her seatbelt, and law enforcement officials believe she was engaged in a text message conversation at the time of the incident.

Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes in Rhode Island

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Various makes and models of vehicles are equipped with a wide range of safety features. These features may help to deter accidents, such as with a side collision alert feature. Others may keep you safe if you are involved in an accident, such as airbags and seatbelts.

With this in mind, it is not surprising to learn that some vehicles are involved in more fatal car accidents in Rhode Island than others.

#8 (Tied) – Subaru

Established: July 15, 1953
Vehicles Involved: 2

The Japanese automaker Subaru is well-known for creating affordable, high-performance vehicles. In fact, its vehicles were first used in the United States in Formula One and other racing events.

This is one of the smaller automakers in the world, but it is nonetheless a popular brand. There are several Subaru models sold in the U.S. market, and some of these are the Outback, Forester, WRX, Impreza, Legacy, and others. Two fatal car accidents in Rhode Island involved Subaru models.

#8 (Tied) – Jeep/Kaiser-Jeep/Willys-Jeep

Established: 1941
Vehicles Involved: 2

The first models of Jeep vehicles were used by the United States military in the second World War. However, after the general public began purchasing Jeep vehicles after the war ended in 1945, more luxurious and upgraded models were designed.

This American automaker is a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler, and its reputation for creating durable vehicles with quality and style has been sustained over the decades.

Some of its many models produced today include the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Compass, Liberty, and Patriot. As is the case with Subaru models, two fatal car accidents in Rhode Island featured Jeep vehicles.

#8 (Tied) – Dodge

Established: 1900
Vehicles Involved: 2

Dodge is an iconic brand in the United States, and its vehicles are now sold in countries around the world. This company is also a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler, and it is headquartered in Michigan.

From mini van models to compact cars and SUVs, there are Dodge models to suit almost every need. Some of these models include the Viper, Journey, Neon, Challenger, Durango, Grand Caravan and others. Dodge is tied with Jeep and Subaru for having two of its models involved in Rhode Island’s fatal car accidents.

#7 – Saturn

Established: January 7, 1985
Vehicles Involved: 3

Saturn is a subsidiary of General Motors that produced affordable, quality vehicles between 1985 and 2010. While Saturn tried to create a different type of manufacturing process and to produce a more innovative car, the company ultimately met its demise.

Despite this, many Saturn vehicles are still on the road. Some of these include the Vue, Astra, Aura, EV1, Outlook, and others. Three of the car accident fatalities in Rhode Island featured Saturn models.

#4 (Tied) – Mazda

Established: January 30, 1920
Vehicles Involved: 4

Mazda is among the most well-established Japanese automakers, and it has headquarters in Fuchu. Producing more than 1.5 million vehicles per year, this is the 15th largest automaker in the world today. Its vehicles are known for having a sporty, appealing look and innovative features at a reasonable price.

Some of the Mazda models that are currently in production include the 2, 3, 6, MX-6, CX-9 and others. Approximately four of the traffic fatalities in Rhode Island involved Mazda vehicles.

#4 (Tied) – Toyota

Established: August 28, 1937
Vehicles Involved: 4

Producing more than 10 million vehicles worldwide and selling more than 2.5 million vehicles in the United States, Toyota is the second largest automaker globally. Notably, it is also the world’s ninth largest overall corporation.

This is a parent company for the brands Lexus and Scion, but it also makes many models under its own label. Some of these include the Yaris, Prius, FJ Cruiser, Corolla, Tundra, Camry, Tacoma and more. With four of its vehicles included in traffic fatalities in Rhode Island, Toyota is tied with Mazda and Honda.

#4 (Tied) – Honda

Established: October 1946
Vehicles Involved: 4

The Japanese automaker Honda also has models involved in four traffic fatalities in Rhode Island. This is one of the more popular automobile manufacturers worldwide, and it is a conglomerate that also makes power lawn equipment, all-terrain vehicles, robotics, motorcycles and other types of items.

Acura is one of its luxury subsidiaries. You can find a wide range of models under this brand, including the Insight, Element, Fit, Odyssey, Civic, Accord and CR-V, to name a few.

#3 – Chevrolet

Established: November 3, 1911
Vehicles Involved: 5

When Chevrolet was founded in 1911, it was the primary competitor of Ford, and it was successful in surpassing the popularity of Ford for a lengthy period of time.

Over the years, this reputable American automaker has developed a loyal following, and its vehicles are well-known for being built with quality and value in mind.

A few of the Chevy models found on Rhode Island roads today include the Malibu, Cruze, Spark, Sonic, Caprice, Camaro, Volt, Equinox and more. Five of the traffic fatalities in Rhode Island were in Chevrolet models.

#2 – Datsun/Nissan

Established: 1931
Vehicles Involved: 6

Datsun and Nissan have enjoyed a long history in the auto industry. Datsun was originally launched in 1931, but it was phased out in 1986. Because of the need for affordable vehicles in the marketplace, Nissan re-launched the Datsun brand in 2013 with great success.

You can find many Datsun and Nissan vehicles on Rhode Island roads, and some of these include the Altima, Xterra, Pathfinder, Quest, Stanza and more. Six of the traffic fatalities in Rhode Island involved Datsun or Nissan models.

#1 – Ford

Established: June 16, 1903
Vehicles Involved: 8

Ford Motor Company is among the most well-established and reputable automakers in the world. This American company was directly responsible for innovating the production line and making vehicles more affordable for the average consumer to purchase.

Some of the current Ford models that you can purchase are the F-150 truck, the Explorer and Edge SUV, the Mustang, the Taurus and more. With eight traffic fatalities in Rhode Island involving Ford vehicles, this company is ranked at the top of this list.

Tips to Avoid Fatal Car Accidents in Rhode Island

The vehicle that you drive can play a major role in your safety on the road, but there are also steps that you can take when operating a vehicle that can decrease your chance of being involved in a fatal car accident.

These are some of the top safety tips you can follow to improve your driving experience:

• Drive in the center lane when possible to have more escape routes to avoid collisions.
• Always keep your attention on the road, and scan the spaces ahead of you to look for potential issues.
• Avoid impaired driving, and use ride-sharing or a taxi service if you are not physically and mentally able to drive a car safely.
• Avoid distracted driving, including using your cell phone, smoking, eating, applying make-up and more.
• Always wear your seat belt properly regardless of the distance you need to travel.
• Ensure that everyone in the car with you is buckled properly.
• Be aware of your blind spots, and take steps to avoid driving in someone else’s blind spot.
• Keep both hands on the wheel in the three and nine o-clock positions for optimal maneuverability.
• Follow all posted safety and traffic signs, including obeying the posted speed limit.
• Be alert for pedestrians, cyclists, wildlife, and motorcyclists.
• Avoid driving in inclement weather if possible.
• Keep your car well-maintained at all times.
• Understand the reaction time and maneuverability of the vehicle you are operating.

It can be concerning to discover that your vehicle’s manufacturer is on the list of brands involved in the most traffic fatalities in Rhode Island.

There are many reasons why your vehicle’s manufacturer may be on this list. As mentioned, some models simply rank lower in the area of safety because of their design or lack of safety features.

However, there may be a higher number of very popular brands on the road, so it is reasonable to expect more of these vehicles to be involved in car accidents than others.

Nonetheless, some drivers may feel more comfortable trading in their vehicle for a new make and model that has a better overall safety rating.

This is one just one of several steps that you can take to stay safer on the road. You can also practice defensive driving techniques and follow these safe driving tips if you want to avoid car accidents as much as possible.

However, even the safest drivers in vehicles with great safety ratings can still be involved in serious car accidents. You must have car insurance in Rhode Island by law, and you need to have adequate coverage to minimize the financial impact an accident can have on your life.

It is wise to review your current car insurance coverage today to determine if you need to make an upgrade.

You can also shop online to quickly and easily compare rates between several different insurers. With the right coverage in place, you can enjoy peace of mind while driving on Rhode Island roads.

Enter your zip code below to compare car insurance rates from the best providers in Rhode Island today!