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Wider adoption of stability control results in more award winners.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced its 2009 Top Safety Picks, and as usual, there aren't too many surprises to be found in the results—that is, aside from the sheer amount of winners. With 72 vehicles making the final cut—more than double the number for 2008—it's clear that manufacturers are responding to the growing demand for improved safety in all vehicles.

Rating vehicles based on performance in front, side, and rear impacts, the IIHS also requires that Top Safety Pick winners have electronic stability control, which manufacturers are adding in advance of the feature becoming mandatory for all vehicles in 2012. With an ever-increasing number of vehicles coming with standard safety features such as side airbags and ESC, the amount of eligible winners has increased dramatically.

Keep Reading: IIHS Announces Top Safety Picks for 2009 - Car News