IIHS & HLDI news: 2008

Read the Institute regulatory comment (PDF)

Protecting teens from the dangers of alcohol use and abuse: wishful thinking versus science; convened by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, American Medical Association, National Transportation Safety Board, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to support 21 minimum drinking age.

Presentation given by Adrian Lund, IIHS president on October 9, 2007

Read the Institute regulatory comment (PDF)

A wealth of research published in scientific journals indicates that camera enforcement reduces red light violations and injury crashes. Results of a study commissioned by the Virginia Transportation Research Council (Garber et al., 2007) appear to contradict the earlier research, but there are significant methodological issues with the study by Garber et al. The methods of analysis and quality of the data, particularly the data on traffic volumes at intersections with and without cameras, do not support a valid evaluation of red light cameras. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has reviewed the study by Garber et al., highlighting its deficiencies and the weaknesses of its conclusions. The upshot is that Garber's study cannot provide any useful guidance to communities considering the use of red light cameras.

Read the Institute study in full (PDF)

Updated Fatality Facts 2007 — statistics about the motor vehicle safety picture in 2007, the most recent year for which fatality data are available.

HLDI bulletin (PDF): Motorcycle Antilock Braking System (ABS)

Research paper (PDF): Effectiveness of antilock braking systems in reducing fatal motorcycle crashes

Effective January 1, 2009, California will join 6 other US states (Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington) in banning text messaging by all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

Effective September 1, Alaska joined 5 other US states (Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington) in banning text messaging by all drivers. For details on texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) submitted a comment to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) objecting to its proposal to rescind the federal standard on windshield zone intrusion because of its success and redundancy with other standards. The comment refutes the agency's conclusions and emphasizes the necessity of retaining the standard to ensure occupant protection in future vehicles sold in the United States.

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 ride in the cargo area if supervised by an adult.

For more information on state laws prohibiting children from riding in the cargo area of pickup trucks, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cargoAreas.aspx

The GMC Acadia, a large SUV, also is sold as the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and Saturn Outlook. 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 Acadia.

"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 2008-09 Acadia, Enclave, and Outlook models built after March, 2008, and the new for 2009 Traverse.

New Institute ratings for the GMC Acadia | Buick Enclave | Chevrolet Traverse | Saturn Outlook

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 motor vehicles on public roads and for handling low-speed vehicle titling and registration.

For information on the roads in each state where low-speed vehicles are legal, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx

The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) submitted a comment to Transport Canada concerning amendments to its vehicle identification number (VIN) requirements. The comment addresses concerns raised in HLDI's petition (June 12, 2008) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to ensure unique VINs for motorcycles and for pickup trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings of 10,000 pounds or less. Lack of unique VINs will make it difficult to determine the on-road experience and safety of particular motorcycles and whether the VINs for some pickups comply with the old or new requirements.

Latest Institute ratings for the Mazda 6

Verification ratings are based on 40 mph frontal offset crash tests conducted by manufacturers for vehicles meeting requirements established by the Institute.

Latest Institute ratings for the Nissan Maxima

Verification ratings are based on 40 mph frontal offset crash tests conducted by manufacturers for vehicles meeting requirements established by the Institute.