How safe are convertibles? USA Today (Healey, 2006) examined the pros and cons of convertible automobiles. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the newspaper reported, determined that, depending on the model, 52 to 99 drivers of 1 million registered convertibles died in a car crash. The average rate of deaths for all passenger cars was 87. “Counter to conventional wisdom,” the reporter wrote, “convertibles generally aren’t unsafe.” 

a. What does the reporter suggest about the safety of convertibles? 

b. Can you think of another explanation for the fairly low fatality rates? (Hint: The same article reported that convertibles “are often second or third cars.”) 

c. Given your explanation in part (b), suggest data that might make for a more appropriate comparison.