The Ford F-150 of 2009 earns the top pick as the safest of its class to roll on the roads. It garnered the Top Safety Pick among 72 vehicles chosen by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Five Ford vehicles add bragging rights to their fleet of 16 vehicles considered as among the Top Safety Pick. These cars are 2009 Flex, Fusion, Lincoln MKS, and Mercury Milan.

The big fleet of safe vehicles means that Ford overtakes Japanese car manufacturer Honda in the competition of IIHS safety. Ford also takes pride in the most 5-star rated vehicles among automakers.

The number of winners this year doubles the number of top picks in 2008 and has tripled the number of choices from 2007. Automotive experts attribute this to the conscious effort of car makers to adhere to the safety standards set by institution.

Car manufacturers like Ford are making good use of excellent seat and head restraints, additional airbags, and greater vehicle stability of the vehicle during conceptualization and production.

The new Ford F-150 gains the top tough honor and safety from the IIHS adding to its praises from the Texas Auto Writer Association and Pickup.com. The 2009 version of the pickup makes a break through use of the hydroformed body structure designed to be lighter but tougher. New canopy and side airbags are also installed in the new F-150.

Honda is second on the raise while Chrysler is the only major car manufacturer that did not receive any top pick. The Top Safety Pick is awarded to a vehicle if it provides excellent protection to crash dummies subjected to front and side impact tests in addition to the use of good restraints and electronically aided stability control.

More Ford news on the official Ford site and Ford Car Talk!