With safety on the mind of most drivers looking to buy a new vehicle, Chrysler has gone above and beyond the call of duty offering intensive safety and control features in each of their cars. The customer-friendly car manufacturer has been keen on safety for years and with advancements in technology, the safety features keep getting more advanced. Chrysler was recently awarded for their high safety standards.

Five Chrysler vehicles were awarded 2011 top safety picks by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). These vehicles included the Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Patriot, and Chrysler 200. Each year, the IIHS rates vehicles and awards the ones that are the best at protecting drivers and passengers. Evaluations are performed for front, side rear, and rollover crashes. Senior VP of Engineering at Chrysler said, "With the addition of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 200, Chrysler Group has five Top Safety Picks in the 2011 model year. This recognition by the IIHS underscores our commitment to safety across all vehicle segments. As we continue with our product transformation, we'll continue to engineer safety leadership and more capabilities into all our vehicles."

To be in the running for these annual awards, the vehicles need to have an electronic stability control system, which reduces crash risk and crash impact. Each of the Chrysler vehicles chosen comes standard with this safety feature. This was the first year for the Chrysler 200 and Jeep Grand Cherokee to be honored with this prestigious honor.

The torso airbags in the Grand Cherokee increase side protection in the vehicle and enhance thorax protection, which works together with the side-curtain airbags to help protect the occupant during side-impact and rollover events. Other safety features offered in this vehicle that helped it receive this honor are the advanced ABS system, crush zones, safety cage, and active head restraints.

The Chrysler 200 is the company's newest vehicle. While it comes standard with the same airbag system and ESC system as the Jeep, its advanced theft deterrents, such as the Sentry Key engine immobilizer and security alarm, made an impact on IIHS voters. It also comes with the crush zones, safety cages, and head restraints, as well.

2011 marks the third year in a row that the Dodge Avenger and Journey have been on the top safety list. This is also the second year straight the Jeep Patriot was chosen.

Chrysler continues its commitment to providing drivers with cars that are safe, which enhances their overall driving experience. To know that you are safe driving your vehicle, it puts you at ease and helps you concentrate more on the task at hand, driving. Keeping its customers safe and in control is the key element to Chryslers success over the years.