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Some technologies will add very little weight and significantly increase safety. For instance, power steering is already going electric to save weight and increase efficiency, and it's a very small step to add a camera that scans the road and keeps the vehicle in its lane. Brakes, too, are already under electronic control. It's a small step to add a rangefinder to the car and have it automatically brake when an accident is imminent.
These technologies will get so good someday that crashes will almost never happen. Heck, we might even get to the point where seat belts and airbags aren't even necessary due to how unlikely a collision is. I wouldn't be surprised if the active braking and steering systems become cheaper than adding airbags, seat belts, and pre-tensioners.
If car accidents could be nearly eliminated, then the structure itself wouldn't have to be designed to withstand impacts. Instead, it could be designed with efficiency in mind.
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