The safest-sounding road talk often hides a harsher truth in Russia: some affordable domestic and older foreign models can be far riskier than their price tag suggests. Experts warn about the real danger posed by cars like the Lada Granta and older Chinese imports that flooded the market years ago. This insight comes from Anton Shaparin, deputy chairman of the National Automobile Union, speaking to socialbites.ca.
Vehicles lacking modern active and passive safety features pose the greatest risk to drivers. The Lada Granta was designed with features such as ABS and airbags, but in practice, these safety options were stripped or never fully implemented. When such a car is involved in a crash, the likelihood of severe injuries rises because the vehicle may not respond as a contemporary car would. Similarly, compact urban models from India and older Chinese cars, which entered the market in the early 2000s, are considered dangerous due to thin sheet metal and inconsistent safety systems. The absence of robust protection heightens the chance of harm in an accident.
Also worth noting is the condition of the vehicle itself. Cars with rusted frames or those that have suffered significant crashes should be approached with caution. Rotten or compromised structural members can dramatically reduce rigidity, making a repaired car less capable of withstanding another impact. An expert explained that a badly damaged machine can fold under stress much like an accordion when it is hit again, increasing the risk to occupants.
Low-power cars such as the Daewoo Matiz, Citroën C1, Smart, Nissan Note, and even the domestic Oka can pose serious hazards to drivers and passengers. When a collision is possible, these minicars may lack the speed or stability needed to maneuver away in time, leaving occupants more exposed to harm. The market presence of these diminutive models means risk can be overlooked, but safety cannot be ignored in city driving or rural traverses where quick responses matter.
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