Car recalls and exploding airbags may have dominated news coverage in recent months, but vehicle safety is quickly gaining ground, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which announced its list of 2015 safety awards last week. A total of 71 models earned the institute’s two top awards — Top Safety Pick+ or Top Safety Pick — up from 39 this time last year, giving consumers more choices for vehicles with excellent crash protection despite tougher requirements for safety, according to the group, a nonprofit financed by the insurance industry. The list is dominated by Toyota (12 vehicles on the list), Honda, and Subaru.
