There is a generally different approach to cars in Europe and the USA. Americans like big cars because they think they are safer. When it comes to ships, they'd probably prefer the Titanic to a nippy powerboat. That's why you find so many li'l ole ladies driving huge SUV's. Apart from factors like functionality and ecology, there are few things to be remembered about safety.
First, the number of head on crashes is minimal. In an overlapping frontal crash, the smaller cars gets a spinning momentum and it becomes important to remain in the seat (belts, airbags, seat construction, doors remain closed). You also have a very good chance in a wel constructed small car, maybe more so than in a crude big one. Any smart has all the electronic goodies that keep you on the road (most heavy accidents are curve accidents) and a smart with great handling and good brakes will give you a much bigger chance to stear clean of trouble.
By the way, try it: a 6 ft 4" guy will be surprised at the room and the feeling of space in a fortwo.
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There is a generally different approach to cars in Europe and the USA. Americans like big cars because they think they are safer. When it comes to ships, they'd probably prefer the Titanic to a nippy powerboat. That's why you find so many li'l ole ladies driving huge SUV's. Apart from factors like functionality and ecology, there are few things to be remembered about safety. First, the number of head on crashes is minimal. In an overlapping frontal crash, the smaller cars gets a spinning momentum and it becomes important to remain in the seat (belts, airbags, seat construction, doors remain closed). You also have a very good chance in a wel constructed small car, maybe more so than in a crude big one. Any smart has all the electronic goodies that keep you on the road (most heavy accidents are curve accidents) and a smart with great handling and good brakes will give you a much bigger chance to stear clean of trouble. By the way, try it: a 6 ft 4" guy will be surprised at the room and the feeling of space in a fortwo.