Once we were speed freaks, revelling in our muscle cars as we diced between the lights. But South Africans, according to new research, are now a little more responsible when it comes to picking a ride.Now it is all about air bags and ABS brakes, and protection for pedestrians.The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) recently released its latest safety ratings. The safest car, with a full five stars, was the Suzuki Vitara.The Datsun Go was 10th on the list, and last year was given a zero-star safety rating.The safety ratings are determined by a series of tests that take into consideration safety features related to driver and passenger survivability, and child protection in car accidents.Most of South Africa's top-selling motor vehicles in April fared well in the Euro NCAP tests.The VW Polo TSI Trendline, the top seller, scored five stars.Also with five stars was the second car on the list, the Toyota Auris XR HSD.But some believe that car choice in South Africa still has little to do with safety features and more to do with status."South Africa is being dragged out of the Stone Age kicking and screaming."We are still in the 1960s cruising era of motor cars - a car is still an extension of someone," said driving skills specialist Rob Handfield-Jones.But he said he believed that the younger generation of South African drivers was taking the safety features of cars more seriously."When we have issues such as driver behaviour under control, then vehicle safety features become a priority," said Handfield-Jones...