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(NewsUSA) - Safety has two sides - passive and active. Passive safety provides protection at the time of an accident, while active safety helps you prevent or avoid a dangerous situation.
All vehicles have some combination of the two, but safety-conscious buyers will seek vehicles that have robust systems in both of these important areas. With roughly 34,000 people being killed in auto crashes in the United States annually, two-pronged safety features are essential for peace of mind.
Today's open-top convertibles provide a case study in this dual approach to safety. With proper design and engineering, motorists can have the best of both worlds: the sleek styling and head-turning good looks, plus safety features that provide ultimate protection.
The experts at Porsche, makers of the Boxster and Boxster S, note that passive safety begins with a chassis designed to absorb an impact, with crush zones away from the occupants. Other important features include dual front airbags and dedicated airbags to protect occupants' heads and a safety bar in case of a rollover accident.
Active safety features should include beefy anti-lock disc brakes to increase stability while braking, combined with an electronic stability control system that can take over if a car's sensors detect imminent loss of control.
Further features include a powerful engine with sufficient horsepower that the driver can call upon to drive away from danger. A well-balanced chassis - ideally with 50/50 weight distribution between front and rear and a favorable power-to-weight ratio - helps ensure stability.
Active safety can even include interior touches such as intelligent placement of cup holders, which should be mounted away from the center console and the gearbox, and securely bolstered seats.
Gone are the days when you could choose any vehicle color as long as it was sleek and black.
Today's best vehicles combine safety, performance and styling. For more information on the safety features of the Porsche Boxster, visit www.porsche.com.