IIHS & HLDI news: 2005

December 4

First selection of Top Safety Picks: Institute announces 10 car designs that win

November 6

1st side impact tests of minivans: Toyota, Honda, Nissan models perform best; Sienna earns the 'double best pick' designation

November 2

Audi, Ford, Subaru, and VW cars earn good ratings in both front and side crash tests

October 13

New frontal crash test results: Ford's Freestyle SUV is a top performer

September 18

Tests of seat/head restraints in minivans: Fords are only models to earn top rating; most seat/head restraints provide inadequate protection against neck injuries in rear crashes

August 3

1 million crash injuries occur each year on urban, suburban roads — reducing these crashes doesn't have to cost a lot & disrupt traffic; can be simple

July 17

Front and side crash test results: 2 good performers; automakers are acting quickly to improve side impact protection

July 12

1st evidence of effects of cell phone use on injury crashes: crash risk is four times higher when driver is using a hand-held cell phone

June 19

New frontal offset crash test results for 8 cars: large family and luxury cars are good; most earn 'best pick'

June 5

New side impact crash test results for five midsize cars: Audi A4 is 'double best pick;' Chevy Malibu improves to good and 'best pick'

April 24

New crash test results: Volkswagen Jetta aces side impact test; also earns good rating in frontal test

April 10

New frontal offset crash test results: new minivan from GM shows dramatic improvement and three small pickups earn good frontal ratings

March 15

Risk of dying in one vehicle versus another; driver death rates by passenger vehicle make/model

March 10

New work rule for truckers isn't improving safety; survey shows truckers drive more, tired driving still prevalent

March 6

New results of side impact crash tests: 14 of 16 small cars are rated poor in test that simulates crash with SUV; none of the 16 is good

February 24

Fewer 16 year-olds are getting involved in crashes; big decline in crash rates of beginning drivers over a decade

January 13

Primary safety belt laws would save 700 lives per year — 28 states still allow ticket only if driver is stopped for another reason