One advanced technology continues to be a standout at preventing crashes. Forward collision avoidance systems with autonomous braking that can stop drivers from rear-ending another vehicle or slow them down enough to lessen the impact are making a measurable difference in insurance claims. Last year, the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reported promising results for Acura, Mercedes and Volvo models. ... Read More »
Side airbags that protect the head and torso reduce the likelihood of death and upper body injuries to passenger vehicle drivers in near-side crashes by 61 percent compared with no side airbags. This is the main finding of a new study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre. The Victoria, Australia, study reinforces prior research on the effectiveness of side ... Read More »
Owners of Volvos with advanced crash avoidance features find the systems useful, and the vast majority would want the technology again, an IIHS survey shows. The positive results are in line with an earlier survey (see Status Report, Nov. 18, 2009, at iihs.org). This time, the participants were not limited to the early adopters questioned several years ago, when ... Read More »
A group of moderately priced midsize cars outperformed most of their luxury counterparts in a challenging new frontal crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on 2013 models. Of the 18 midsize family cars evaluated in the small overlap test, two earn the top rating of good, 11 earn acceptable, three earn marginal, and two are ... Read More »
ARLINGTON, Va. — To reward 2013 models with superior crash protection, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is awarding the new TOP SAFETY PICK+ accolade to 13 cars. All earn good or acceptable ratings in the new IIHS small overlap test as well as top marks in other IIHS evaluations. Winners include the Acura TL; Dodge Avenger and its ... Read More »
The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) recently took a look at the country’s changing demographics to see how insurance claim rates might be affected. Despite the fact that drivers in their 70s and 80s have higher claim rates than those in their 50s and 60s, the analysis shows that the growth of the older population won’t cause an increase in collision claim rates overall. That is in part because, even with a large increase, the number of older drivers is predicted to remain relatively small. In addition, the increase in the proportion of older drivers will be accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of drivers under 30, who have the highest claim rates of all. Read More »
YONKERS, NY - Consumer Reports has judged the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV a Don't Buy: Safety Risk because of a problem its testers experienced during CR's standard emergency-handling tests. Read More »
Today's advisory is precipitated by continued reports of consumer concern and confusion about two separate safety recalls Toyota announced over the past week involving accelerator pedals. Each recall has a different root cause – pedal entrapment and sticky pedal. Read More »
North Carolina recently amended its laws prohibiting children from riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks. The law previously provided that children under the age of 12 were not to be transported in the cargo area. The amendment law now covers children under the age of 16. The law contains several exceptions, including permitting children of all ages to ... Read More »
Federal standards covering low-speed vehicles apply to those used for “short trips for shopping, social, and recreational purposes primarily within retirement or other planned communities with golf courses.” To qualify, a vehicle must have 4 wheels and a top speed of at least 20 mph but not more than 25. States, not NHTSA, are responsible for regulating the operation of ... Read More »
