IIHS & HLDI news: 2009

In comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) supports efforts to increase fuel efficiency through a vehicle attribute-based system that takes safety into account. The system will raise fuel economy while keeping manufacturers from significantly downweighting or downsizing their vehicles.

IIHS has published a new state law table and interactive map of motorcycle helmet laws that cover low-power cycles, or LPCs. These include motor-driven cycles, mopeds, scooters, and various other 2-wheeled cycles that don't meet IIHS's definition of a motorcycle. While state laws vary, a cycle with an engine displacement of 50 cubic centimeters or less, brake horsepower of 2 or less, and top speeds of 30 mph or less typically is considered an LPC.

Twenty-two states have motorcycle helmet laws that cover all low-power cycles. Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have laws that cover some low-power cycles.

Bumpers that don't bump, resulting in costly damage in what should be minor crashes, are the norm for cars evaluated in Institute low-speed crash tests. One exception is the redesigned 2010 Subaru Legacy. The Legacy's bumpers are a big improvement over those on its 2007-09 predecessor. The new Legacy earns an acceptable rating in a recent series of tests to assess and compare how well bumpers resist damage in everyday fender-benders. In contrast, the previous Legacy is rated poor in the same 4 tests. Fifteen out of 17 midsize cars evaluated by the Institute are rated marginal or poor for bumper protection.

"The Legacy's performance shows what automakers can do when they pay attention to damageability in low-speed crashes that happen every day in commuter traffic," says Joe Nolan, Institute senior vice president.

Feature article with photos

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testified November 4 before a joint hearing of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet.

The cumulative evidence from various types of studies points toward cellphone use as a risk factor for crashes and impaired driving performance. While studies have reached different estimates of the magnitude of the risk, well-controlled research that verified phone use in large samples of crash-involved drivers found that the risk of crashing was 4 times higher when a driver was talking on either a hand-held or hands-free phone.

Seven states and the District of Columbia have banned hand-held cellphone use while driving, but the effects of these laws on hand-held use is mixed. Moreover, the effect on safety isn't clear. Many drivers still use hand-held phones where use is banned, and other drivers may switch to hands-free devices, which doesn't help, since the crash risk with either type of device is about the same. Preliminary data from insurance claims for collision suggest no apparent reduction in crash risk after states enacted hand-held bans.

Full text of testimony (PDF)

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse and the 2010 Nissan Versa are the Institute's newest Top Safety Pick award winners. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the LaCrosse and optional on the Versa.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

New Institute ratings for the Buick LaCrosse | Nissan Versa

The 2010 Cadillac SRX and the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, also sold as the GMC Terrain, are the Institute's newest Top Safety Pick award winners. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the SRX, Equinox, and Terrain.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

New Institute ratings for the Cadillac SRX | Chevrolet Equinox | GMC Terrain

Comparative loss information under six coverages, from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI)

2010 models of the Dodge Journey, Lincoln MKT, and Mazda 3 are the Institute's newest Top Safety Pick award winners.

New Institute ratings for the Dodge Journey | Lincoln MKT | Mazda 3

The Institute has updated Fatality Facts, an annual summary of fatal crash information from the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

In September 2008, NHTSA denied a petition for rulemaking to create a new class of motor vehicles known as medium speed vehicles (MSV). The petitioners proposed that MSVs have a top speed of 35 mph and that they be held to less stringent safety standards than passenger cars. NHTSA, taking environmental and fuel consumption issues into consideration, denied the request due to increased risk of death and injury.

Despite NHTSA's denial of the petition, 9 states (Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington) have adopted a definition of "medium-speed vehicle (MSV)" and all except Colorado allow MSVs on specified portions of their public roads. Colorado's law states that medium-speed vehicles cannot be titled or registered until the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has adopted safety standards for vehicles that operate at greater than 25 mph but less than 45 mph.

For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/mediumspeedvehicles.aspx

The 2010 Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outback are the Institute's newest Top Safety Pick award winners.

New Institute ratings for the Subaru Legacy | Subaru Outback

The 2010 Dodge Avenger and its twin, the Chrysler Sebring, are the Institute's newest Top Safety Pick award winners.

New Institute ratings for the Dodge Avenger | Chrysler Sebring

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has provided additional data to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in support of extending federal bumper rules to SUVs, pickups, and vans. IIHS petitioned the agency in 2008 to upgrade the standard to reduce vehicle damage in low-speed collisions.

Comment in full (PDF)

The 2010 Honda Insight, 2010 Kia Soul, and 2010 Toyota Prius are the Institute's newest Top Safety Pick award winners.

New Institute ratings for the Honda Insight | Kia Soul | Toyota Prius

The 2010 Ford Taurus, a large family car, is the Institute's newest 2009 Top Safety Pick award winner.

New Institute ratings for the Ford Taurus

In comments filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) supports the continuation of the National Automotive Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System (NASS/CDS) to provide researchers with data to evaluate programs to reduce the severity of injuries and property damage resulting from motor vehicle crashes. IIHS also encourages expansion of the program to increase the scope of data collection and ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data collected.

Comment in full (PDF)

The Institute is enhancing its online information by posting important research presentations, including PDFs and links to the streaming video, on its website.  The first posting is "Sustaining real world safety through innovative technologies," which was presented by Adrian Lund, Institute president, at the 21st Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Conference on June 15, 2009.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has updated its summary of court decisions on red light camera and speed camera programs. To view the summary, see http://www.iihs.org/laws/auto_enforce_cases.html

The 2009 Toyota Venza, a midsize SUV, and the 2010 Lexus RX, a midsize luxury SUV, are the Institute's newest 2009 Top Safety Pick award winners. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the Venza and RX.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

New Institute ratings for the Toyota Venza | Lexus RX

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is enhancing its online presentation of state laws by using interactive maps of the United States. The maps illustrate the extent to which states are addressing highway safety concerns.

See the most recent map depicting the maximum daytime speed limits found on rural interstates.

The 2009 Audi Q5, a midsize luxury SUV, is the Institute's newest 2009 Top Safety Pick award winner. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the Q5.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

New Institute ratings for the Audi Q5

The 2009 Volkswagen CC, a midsize moderately priced car, is the Institute's newest 2009 Top Safety Pick award winner. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the CC.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

New Institute ratings for the Volkswagen CC

On May 18, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testified on emerging safety issues before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The Institute told the subcommittee that research is key to developing sound federal motor vehicle safety standards and highway safety programs. It urged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to expand its research toward improving vehicle crashworthiness, evaluating emerging crash avoidance features, and developing technology to reduce alcohol-impaired driving. NHTSA also should increase the size and scope of its detailed database on crashes.

Status Report, Vol. 44, No. 5 — Special issue: teenage drivers (PDF)

Research papers (PDF):
In-vehicle teen monitoring
GDL and teen crashes

HLDI report (PDF):
GDL and collision claims

Video

Amendments to the federal safety standard on rearview mirrors are being proposed to improve driver visibility of areas to the rear of motor vehicles. IIHS supports a no-blind-spot requirement to reduce deaths and injuries associated with backover crashes.

Comment in full (PDF)

The Mercedes R class, a large SUV, and the Lincoln MKZ, a midsize luxury car, are the Institute's newest 2009 Top Safety Pick award winners. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the R class and the MKZ.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

The Top Safety Pick designation applies to 2009 R class models built after September, 2008, and 2010 MKZ models.

New Institute ratings for the Mercedes R class | Lincoln MKZ

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) continues to enhance its online presentation of state laws with interactive US maps. The latest series of state law maps includes those for cellphones, safety belt use, child restraints, minitrucks, and low-speed vehicles. The maps help illustrate the extent to which US states are addressing these highway safety concerns.

Parents can reduce the risk to their kids riding in cars by properly securing them in the back seats of their vehicles. This video is designed to help parents choose the right kind of restraint for a child's age and size and to help with proper installation.

Purchase DVD | Watch the segments in streaming video online

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is enhancing its online presentation of state laws by using interactive maps of the United States. The first such laws to be illustrated are motorcycle and bicycle helmet laws and automated enforcement laws, with additional state law maps becoming available. The maps provide geographic representations of the laws to illustrate the extent to which US states are addressing highway safety concerns.

Universal motorcycle helmet laws are effective in reducing rates of deaths and serious injuries, and states that have repealed or weakened their laws have experienced increases in both. Bicycle helmet laws are similarly effective in reducing injuries and fatalities among children and teenagers, but more than half of US states still do not have laws on the books. Automated enforcement technology substantially reduces red light violations and speeding on high-risk roads, and national and local surveys indicate public support.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testified on February 24 before the Maryland Senate Committee on Judicial Proceedings on automated speed enforcement and on passenger and nighttime restrictions for young drivers.

Speeding is a major factor in motor vehicle crashes, especially those resulting in serious injuries. Automated enforcement technology reduces speeding on high-risk roads, and national surveys indicate public support. A major risk factor for teenage drivers is passenger presence, especially teenage passengers. Passenger restrictions as part of state graduated licensing programs reduce fatal/injury crashes among teenage drivers. Nighttime driving restrictions, which have been in effect since the 1960s, also reduce teenage drivers' fatal/injury crashes.

The Hyundai Genesis is a large luxury car. To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements such as top crash test ratings and the rapid addition of electronic stability control, which is standard on the Genesis.

"Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results," says Institute president Adrian Lund.

The Top Safety Pick designation applies to 2009 Genesis models built after November, 2008.

New Institute ratings for the Hyundai Genesis

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) filed a brief amicus curiae with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The brief concerns the likely adverse safety consequences of state regulation of greenhouse gas and the trend among automobile manufacturers toward using advanced engine technology to increase horsepower rather than improve fuel economy. IIHS notes that a national energy policy promoting both vehicle safety and energy savings is a public health requirement, and decreases in vehicle size and weight will adversely affect safety. Moreover, California's carbon dioxide regulation will undermine the benefits of the reformed corporate average fuel economy standard established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Brief in full (PDF)

Lowering the drinking age and making it easier for young people to obtain the very substance that causes the problem in the first place would worsen, not mitigate, drinking among underage people.

See Status Report, Vol. 43, No. 11 cover story (PDF) and

Effects of 21 minimum legal drinking age laws on alcohol-related driving in the United States; Anne T. McCartt, Laurie A. Hellinga, and Bevan B. Kirley, December 2008 (PDF)

Access Status Report issues dating back to 1969. Previously the Institute posted issues dating to 1997.