what's the best/safest car for a family of four?

[time4tea]

Hello

I'm learning to drive, and need to buy a car. We live in North London, want something very reliable in terms of reliability and as fuel/eco efficient as possible, but also as safe as possible in terms of structural strength in case of a crash (best friend's sister and family were just involved in a serious accident, lucky to get away with no long-term injury)

thanks for any advice you can give

T4T

If you want information on the safety of a car then look on www.euroncap.com - this give ratings for cars out there on safety.

Have a look at What Car

Once you pass you test it would be worthwhile doing the pass plus to teach you motorway driving, because most people don't seem to know how to drive on the motorway thesedays!
The best protection you can have is to be a safe driver yourself and learn to anticipate other peoples actions and maybe in a couple of years join your local IAM group (Institute of Advanced Motorists), where you will be assesed and have a 2hr test with a police trained driving examiner.
And no they don't teach skid handling, that has to be done as a seperate course.
Good luck with your test.