Latest issues of Status Report

Volume 45, Number 2 • February 27, 2010

Special issue: phoning while driving

Patterns of phone use and crashes don't match, and researchers are trying to figure out why this is the case

New survey of driver phone use indicates this is a widespread practice, even in risky circumstances on the road

Laws that ban hand-held phone use while driving aren't producing the expected result, which is a reduction in the frequency of crashes

Technology to block phone use while driving is emerging but so far isn't widely used, and the safety payoff is unknown

Volume 45, Number 1 • February 6, 2010

Frontal airbags designed to meet the latest federal standards appear to have reduced protection for belted drivers in front crashes

Alcohol use is down sharply among nighttime drivers on weekends, but impairment remains a big problem in fatal crashes

People still die in frontal crashes because of personal factors like advanced age and vehicle factors like structures that don't do a good job of managing crash energy, NHTSA says

Institute rates small pickups for rollover and side impact crash protection

Volume 44, Number 11 • December 22, 2009

Booster ratings help parents pick seats that are most likely to offer the best safety belt fit for their children

What good lap/shoulder belt fit and bad belt fit looks like

How 60 boosters rate individually for lap belt fit and shoulder belt fit

Hybrid electric cars are more likely to crash with pedestrians and bicyclists

Children are safer restrained in boosters than kids who use safety belts alone

Volume 44, Number 10 • November 18, 2009

TOP SAFETY PICK winners for 2010 are vehicles on the highest rung for protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes, too

Winners by vehicle class

Crash avoidance features gain traction with Infiniti and Volvo owners

Subaru improves bumpers on 2010 Legacy to earn acceptable rating

Animal crashes continue to rise, and so do costs of fixing the damage

Volume 44, Number 9 • October 13, 2009

Cover story: cellphone laws

IIHS 50th anniversary celebration, featuring test comparing crashworthiness then and now

Volume 44, Number 8 • September 17, 2009

Alcohol detection devices for all drivers garner widespread support

Regulating light truck bumpers gets a look-see from NHTSA

Amber is a better color than red for rear turn signals

Camera enforcement case summaries are available at iihs.org

Better truck brakes are on tap

Crash deaths continue to decline, though deaths of motorcyclists keep bucking the overall trend

Volume 44, Number 7 • July 11, 2009

Click It or Ticket still works to raise belt use by combining stepped-up enforcement with a media blitz

Enhanced belt reminders reduce drivers' fatality risk

Alcohol ignition interlocks are required equipment for first-time DUI offenders in additional states

Interlocks would have saved 8,893 lives in 2007 by preventing alcohol-impaired people from driving

Universal belt use, primary laws, and enforcement need to be priorities

Volume 44, Number 6 • June 11, 2009

Bumpers on mini and microcars allow pricey damage in new Institute tests. None of the 7 evaluated earns a good rating

What it costs to fix test damage

Roofs that meet a new federal standard likely will be nearly as strong as needed to earn top ratings in Institute tests

Donald L. Schaffer served on the Institute board from 1962-1987

Child seats don't fit the same in all vehicles, so automakers are urged to recommend good ones for their models

Volume 44, Number 5 • May 7, 2009

Special issue: teenage drivers

Volume 44, Number 4 • April 14, 2009

Special issue: car size, weight, and safety