Convertibles are a fun way to get around, especially in the summer when the weather is warm and the skies are blue. A lot of drivers love the feel of the wind on their face as they drive down the interstate. Which leads to the question, just how safe is your convertible? These cars are more vulnerable when the top is down because there is no roof to protect you in the event of a rollover. Also, in the unlikely event that something was to fall from above, such as a rock from a nearby cliff, there is not a roof to shield your heads from harm.

However, despite the fact that your convertible may not provide as much head coverage, the vehicles are quite safe when used in the right weather. According to CBS News, The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently put mid-sized convertibles to the test in collision examinations with dummies inside. The president of the IIHS says that many of the models passed the tests with flying colors, showing that they are often just as safe as a regular, enclosed vehicle. According to research, the top safety picks for convertibles are the Saab 9-3 and the Volvo C-70. The Audi 3-4 and BMW 3 Series models didn’t fare as well in the tests, especially when it came to a rear crash. The Pontiac G-6 received the lowest ratings in the crash test.

The convertibles were judged on how well they held up in front, side, and rear crashes. When all research was considered, the IIHS determined that the overall risk of death in a convertible is not any higher than that risk in a regular car. Convertibles often come equipped with roll bars to lessen the impact of a crash, and the person is just as distanced from an oncoming vehicle as he or she would be in a regular car. The IIHS president says the roll bars aren’t as good as having a roof over your head, but they certainly protect some head room in the event of a collision. The roll bars will pop up if a crash occurs to protect passengers inside.

According to Convertible Car Magazine, convertibles are safe, but there is always a necessity to wear a seat belt no matter what kind of car you are driving. These seatbelts are particularly important when the top is down, because they may be the lifesaver that keeps you inside the automobile during an accident. Pets and children should always be given proper safety restraints in a convertible. Use discretion when driving with your convertible top down. Obviously, it isn’t wise to have the top down in any extreme elemental weather such as during a storm or when it is foggy outside. You should close the top if you are nearing cliffs where falling rocks occur. Also, in areas with excessive dust, it may be helpful to drive with the cloth top up.

The thrill and freedom of a convertible can be a wonderful thing if the car is used carefully. While convertible owners are at not statistically known risk to more accidents than regular drivers, car accidents still happen. Thankfully, because of the lightweight top on a convertible and the heavier bottom, the cars are very unlikely to roll. People who drive these sporty cars are at less risk to a fatal accident than those in an SUV! If you are yearning for a convertible but holding back because of safety, the IIHS says that there’s not need to worry. If you practice safe driving habits, you aren’t at risk to a car accident any more than those in roofed cars out on the highway.