Three weeks ago my son was back ended while driving my 2001 V70 (107K). The driver of the Saturn Vue that hit him admitted to traveling at 45mph when he hit my son. My son was unhurt and the wagon needed about $3800 worth of repairs to replace the tailgate (fiberglass btw) the bumper cover and a small amount of work to the spare tire well. All covered by the other drivers insurance!

It appears that the Vue's bumper went under the volvo bumper upon impact. The front end of the Vue was wiped out and it needed to be towed away.

Last Friday my son called and asked if I would believe if he told me had been hit from behind again?! This time he was driving HIS '98 S70 (222k)which I had handed down to him.

He was again unhurt, as was his girlfriend, and the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am that hit him was towed away. The S70 at first only appeared to have suffered a damaged bumper but upon noticing that the trunk lid was out of alignment I looked further and could see a small kink in the C-pillar, the frame is bent. Estimate of $5200 this time.

Well I am now shopping for a replacement vehicle for the S70, and while I agree that most new cars are pretty safe, my wife says we are not buying anthing but a Volvo for junior.

My sister died almost twenty years ago, less then a mile from where my son had that first accident, on the very same road. She was rear ended by a drunk driver while she was in a 3 series mazda.

I will not be arguing with my wife about this next car purchase. In some ways it seems my sister must be helping to look after my son!

May you and yours enjoy a long and safe lifetime on the roads, and trust me you never want to look back after an accident with regrets about the safety of the vehicle your loved ones are driving.