Ford has always been one of the top automakers for consumers who are looking for a reliable car, van, or SUV. Most families choose Ford because they are reliable and affordable cars. Everyone will be happy to know that on that list of things to love about Ford safety is number one.

Ford Motor Co. along with Honda Motor Co. had the most vehicles on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s annual list of the safest cars for the 2008 model year. Thirty-four vehicles received the top safety pick designation for 2008, compared with 13 vehicles from the 2007 model year. The institute requires new cars and trucks to have electronic stability control, or ESC, to qualify for the award. Many auto companies are putting the anti-rollover technology into their fleets ahead of a government requirement for the systems by the 2012 model year.

Ford was represented on the list by the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable passenger cars with optional ESC, and the Ford Edge, Ford Taurus X and Lincoln MKX midsize sport utility vehicles. The Volvo S80, C70 midsize convertible and XC90 SUV, part of Ford’s Volvo unit, made the list.

Ford has said previously that it will put stability control on its entire lineup by the end of 2009. Electronic stability control senses when a driver may lose control of the vehicle and automatically applies brakes to individual wheels to help keep it stable and avoid a rollover. The technology helps motorists avoid skidding across icy or slick roads or keep control of their car when swerving to avoid an unexpected object in the road.

If more automakers improved their safety features more than 10,000 deadly accidents could be avoided annually. Hopefully this will encourage more automakers to focus more on safety and less on looks.