IIHS & HLDI news: 2009

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)

On June 29th, Wisconsin changed the state's seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement, thus making Wisconsin the 30th state to primarily enforce its safety belt use law.

Compare safety belt laws in all states

Effective Aug. 15, 2009, Louisiana will join 21 other states and the District of Columbia in requiring safety belt use in all seats. The current law requires belt use only in the front seat.

Compare safety belt laws in all states

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 Enhance Safety of Vehicles Conference on June 15, 2009.

Effective Sept. 1, 2009, all drivers in Texas school crossing zones are banned from talking on hand-held phones and texting. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

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

Alaska’s child restraint law requires children 3 and younger to be in a child safety seat. On June 17, the governor signed legislation strengthening the law. When the law goes into effect on Sept. 15, 2009, Alaska will join 24 other states requiring children at least 7 and younger to be in a child passenger restraint system. Compare child restraint laws in all states

Effective Dec. 1, 2009, North Carolina joins 13 other US states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, 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

Florida and Minnesota join 12 other states in permitting the use of minitrucks on specific portions of the public road. Effective immediately, minitrucks may be driven on Florida roads that are posted with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Effective August 1, 2009, localities in Minnesota may, by local ordinance, allow the use of minitrucks on specified roads. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/minitrucks.aspx

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

Effective August 2009, Colorado will join 42 other states and the District of Columbia in authorizing low-speed vehicles on roads with a posted limit of 35 mph or lower. The law restricts low-speed vehicles from traveling faster than 25 mph. Previously, low-speed vehicles were permitted in Colorado only by local option. To compare low-speed vehicle laws in all states http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx

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

Effective July 1, 2009, Ohio's speed limit for large trucks will increase from 55 to 65 mph on interstate highways, thereby making it equal to the speed limit for passenger vehicles. Ten other states (Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington) still have lower speed limits for large trucks than for passenger vehicles. To compare speed limits in all states http://www.iihs.org/laws/speedlimits.aspx

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

Effective July 1, 2009, out-of-state drivers will no longer be exempt from Indiana's child restraint law. Indiana and 23 other states require drivers to restrain children at least 7 years and younger in a passenger restraint system.

Compare child restraint laws in all states

On May 29, Texas enacted legislation strengthening the state's current child restraint law that requires children 4 and younger to be in a child safety seat. When the law goes into effect on Sept. 1, 2009, Texas will join 23 other states requiring children at least 7 and younger to be in a child passenger restraint system.

Compare child restraint laws in all states

Effective December 1, 2009, novice drivers in Colorado join those in 20 other states and the District of Columbia banned from talking on a cellphone. For details on cellphone bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

Effective December 1, 2009, Colorado joins 12 other US states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, 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 Fall 2009, Maine joins four other states (MS, MT, WV, and NH) in banning the use of all automated enforcement cameras. For details on automated enforcement laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx.

On May 15th, the Governor of Minnesota signed legislation strengthening the state's current child restraint law that requires children 3 and younger to be in a child safety seat. When the law goes into effect on July 1, 2009, children 7 and younger and less than 57 inches will be required to be in a child passenger restraint system.

Compare child restraint laws in all states

On May 21, the Governor of Minnesota signed legislation changing the state's seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement. When the law goes into effect on June 9, 2009, Minnesota will become the 29th state to primarily enforce its safety belt use law.

Compare safety belt laws in all states

Effective October 1, 2009, Maryland's authorized speed camera locations will expand from Montgomery County school zones and residential districts to include school zones and work zones statewide. Additionally, Montgomery County will join Prince George's County in allowing cameras to capture violations at rail crossings. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx

Effective July 1, 2009, Indiana joins 20 other US states in banning cellphone use by young drivers. For details on cellphone bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

Effective July 1, 2009, Tennessee joins 11 other US states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, 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 July 10, 2009, young drivers in West Virginia who choose not to enroll in driver education will be required to drive for 50, rather than 30, supervised hours in the learner's phase. Provisional license holders will be prohibited from driving from 10 pm to 5 am instead of the previous 11 pm to 5 am. Additionally, the passenger restriction will strengthen from no more than three passengers to no passengers for the first six months and not more than one passenger for the second six months.

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

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.

Effective October 1, 2009, Maryland's holding period for a learner's permit will increase from six to nine months. Unsupervised driving will be allowed at 16, 6 months instead of 16, 3 months. Restriction on nighttime driving will end at 18 years instead of 17, 9 months and restriction on carrying passengers will end at 16, 11 months instead of 16, 8 months.

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

Effective July 1, 2010, Indiana's young drivers must be age 15, 6 months rather than age 15 to be issued a learner's permit and it must be held for six instead of two months. While currently young drivers are not required to complete a specific number of hours of supervised driving, they now will be required to complete fifty supervised driving hours. The intermediate license will be issued at age 16, 6 months instead of the previous 16, 1 month. Currently, Indiana's night restriction for drivers younger than 18 starts at 11 pm or 1 am depending on the day of the week. Effective July 1, 2009, unsupervised driving will also be prohibited for the first 180 days from 10 pm to 5 am. Additionally, the restriction allowing no passengers will be increased from three to six months.

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

Effective October 1, 2009, Maryland joins 10 other US states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia, 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 2009, Maine's definition of "low-speed vehicle" will include minitrucks allowing their use on roads with a posted speed limit of not more than 35 mph. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/minitrucks.aspx

Since January 1, 2009, four states (Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, and Massachusetts) have enacted low-speed vehicle laws. Kentucky will allow LSV use on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. Massachusetts will allow LSV use on roads with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less. The maximum speed limit for roads authorized for LSV use increased from 25 mph to 35 mph in Idaho and decreased from 40 mph to 30 mph in Kansas. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx

Effective Tuesday, May 5, 2009, Montana localities are banned from using an automated enforcement system to detect traffic violations. Enforcement at railroad grade crossings is excepted.

Automated enforcement laws

On May 6th, the Governor of Florida signed legislation changing the state's seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement. When the law goes into effect on June 30, 2009, Florida will become the 28th state to primarily enforce its safety belt use law.

Compare safety belt laws in all states

Mississippi has prohibited all localities from using automated enforcement, but New York City has increased from 100 to 150 the number of intersections using red light cameras. Additionally, the counties of Nassau and Suffolk and the cities of Rochester, Buffalo and Yonkers have been authorized to adopt new red light camera programs. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/automated_enforcement.aspx

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

Since January 1, 2009, five states (Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Utah, and Virginia) have strengthened their cellphone use laws. Arkansas, Utah, and Virginia have banned texting for all drivers. Kansas and Mississippi have banned texting for young drivers. Arkansas and Kansas also have banned all cellphone use for young drivers. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

New Hampshire and Oklahoma have strengthened their GDL laws by increasing the required number of supervised driving hours. Additionally, Oklahoma's night driving restriction will begin one hour earlier. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx

Maine has increased its motorcycle helmet use age from 14 to 17. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/HelmetUseCurrent.aspx

Since January 1, 2009, Arkansas, Kansas, New Jersey, and Mississippi have strengthened their GDL laws. For details, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx

In addition, IIHS has added two interactive GDL maps:

Night restriction start times | Restrictions on passengers

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.

On March 4th, the Governor of Arkansas signed legislation changing the state's seat belt law from secondary to primary enforcement. When the law goes into effect on June 30, 2009, Arkansas will become the 27th state to primarily enforce its seat belt law.

Compare safety belt laws in all states

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.