Latest issues of Status Report

Volume 47, Number 3 • April 12, 2012

LATCH would be easier to use if automakers followed 3 key principles when designing anchors and seats

Seat designs that interfere with easy child restraint installations

Parents describe common struggles with installing child restraints

Automakers can meet fuel economy rules without sacrificing safety

Red light camera critic uses flawed reasoning in challenging an Institute study of fatal crashes

Volume 47, Number 2 • March 6, 2012

Alcohol ignition interlocks are reducing recidivism among drivers convicted of DUI in Washington

Enhanced belt reminders can persuade motorists to buckle up without being relentless

Interior padding reduces fatal head injuries by 24 percent, a new government analysis concludes

Teenage passenger death rate starts to climb at age 13 as young teens ride with friends who have licenses

Volume 47, Number 1 • January 24, 2012

New safety features take 3 decades on average to spread through the vehicle fleet, a HLDI report says

Bumper demonstration test shows easy way to solve mismatch problem when SUVs and cars collide

Final hours-of-service rule still allows truck drivers to spend up to 11 hours a day at the wheel

Volume 46, Number 11 • December 15, 2011

TOP SAFETY PICK award goes to a record number of models for 2012 as automakers make changes to win

Winners by vehicle class

N.J. teen driver decal law is unpopular and hasn't raised teens' compliance with GDL restrictions

Crashes and near crashes are more common in the first 6 months after 16 year-olds begin driving

Volume 46, Number 10 • November 17, 2011

Hybrids' injury odds are lower than their gasoline-powered twins due to their heavier weight

Pedestrian injury claims are 20 percent higher for hybrid models than for standard models

Teenagers' crash risk gets worse when they ride motorcycles or drive sports cars

Alcohol-detection device project is now in development phase

Volume 46, Number 9 • October 13, 2011

More boosters are doing a good job of fitting safety belts to kids in the latest round of seat evaluations

Unique inflatable booster seat earns a BEST BET designation

Strong child restraint laws help to reduce crash injuries and lift use of boosters and child restraints

Onboard recorder rule struck down by federal appeals court

Volume 46, Number 8 • September 28, 2011

Better compatibility has lessened the danger that SUVs and pickups pose to people in cars

Older drivers put more limits on their driving as memory, mobility problems increase

Electronic stability control prevents fatal crashes, updated government study reconfirms

New Q&As focus on safety belts and crash avoidance features

Volume 46, Number 7 • August 18, 2011

Existing countermeasures merit renewed attention to help bring down road deaths and injuries

Children should ride rear-facing until they’re at least 2 years old, new guidelines recommend

U.S. lags behind other wealthy nations in extending safety gains

Volume 46, Number 6 • July 19, 2011

Volvo's City Safety prevents crashes at low speeds and reduces insurance costs, a new HLDI analysis shows

Forward collision warning systems available by manufacturer

Red light cameras garner support of drivers in 14 large cities using automated enforcement

Motorcycle helmets to get updated labels to help curb market for unsafe novelty helmets

Volume 46, Number 5 • June 9, 2011

SUV drivers are among the least likely to die in a crash, the latest calculations of driver death rates show

Models with the highest and lowest rates of driver deaths

Driver death rates by vehicle model and crash type

ESC is working as intended under a federal rule requiring the feature in all new passenger vehicles