High gas prices have many consumers switching to smaller, more fuel efficient cars, but are those compacts safe on the road?
A driver is up to twice as likely to die in a small car than a midsize or larger vehicle. That's according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In test after test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also found smaller cars have higher fatality rates than larger ones.
It’s all based on the law of physics.
"When you look at this Explorer here, next to this Honda Civic, it only makes common sense that if you get into an accident you've got more armor around you to protect you,” said Donald Buffamanti.
Buffamanti is the C.E.O. and founder of AutoSpies.com, the insiders guide the world's best automobiles.
He says lighter vehicles are more dangerous but he credits manufacturers like Volkswagen for engineering their compacts to meet high safety standards.
"Their cars are designed to drive on the Autobahn and when you are driving at speeds of 140 miles an hour you have to have a safe car, you have to engineer it differently to take collisions of higher speeds."
When it comes to fuel economy and price, Buffamanti still says the Civic is a great buy.
It’s aerodynamics reduce drag and Buffamanti says the Civic is designed with features like side air bags, so drivers like Melissa Morais don't have to compromise safety.