Status Report, Vol. 13: 1978
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Governors see little hope in passage of belt-use laws
Reactions/comments from state executives
High-speed police chases can be dealt with by limiting speed capability
Bumper standard is a fraud, Institute says
Chairman of House Consumer Protection subcommittee calls lack of bumper improvement ‘absolutely shocking’
Claybrook declares real bumper improvement will come next year in response to Institute testimony
Update: Toyota fire case, child restraint standard
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Belt use laws have limited effect for children, Institute research shows
Small car drivers run twice the risk of death or injury in crashes as drivers of large cars
NHTSA amends passive belt requirements in hopes to make them more convenient and less likely disconnected
Missouri judge blocks state contract breath test
Detroit ice cream truck ordinance reduces injury among child pedestrians, NHTSA study shows
Update: multipiece wheel petition, Construction zone safety, Certification Acceptance
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Institute urges stronger child restraint standards
Bridge, rail-crossing programs a highlight in funds bill
New vehicle visibility standards proposed by NHTSA
NHTSA proposes fixed format in response to VIN rule protests
Study supplies fresh evidence of helmet effectiveness
Occupant protection standards to be extended to trucks, vans
GM recalls Chevettes for fuel-tank modifications
NHTSA conducts additional fuel-tank tests
Quoted without comment
Ford asks for dismissal of Pinto fire criminal charges
IIHS sees only modest effort to curb crash damage
Update: Multipiece wheels, Belt law effects drop
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Lowered design standards for RRR highway projects proposed again, this time by a FHWA task force
IIHS protests adoption of special standards for highway restoration projects
New HLDI reports show relationship of injury claims to vehicle size and body
NHTSA proposes moped regulations to states in light of increased use
Very young drivers are operating mopeds legally due to lax state laws
Firestone agrees to record tire recall
Child restraints effective in crashes, study shows
Long-distance truckers studied in Australia
Update: Multi-piece wheel warning
New VIN rule vigorously protested by state officials, truck and trailer manufacturers, and insurers
NHTSA interprets court rule, trucks and bus brakes must comply with all but 2 points of standard 121
Air bag restriction voted by Congress applies only to retrofitting restraints not original equipment
Michigan motorcyclists favor helmet use
Quoted without comment
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Multi-piece wheel hazards are documented in Institute tests as NHSTA is asked for rule to ban wheels from road
The 10 best and works 1978 model car as defined by HLDI
A young mechanic’s death touched off events that have publicized multi-piece wheel hazards and brought demands for action
NHTSA to reopen multi-piece wheel defect investigations
‘Underride’, a new Institute film, wins a Golden Eagle award from international film council
Shrinking truck cabs that result from tractor-trailer length limits pose a safety threat and legislative problem
Truck Safety Act gets hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee
Air bag innovators are presented awards of excellence by Transportation Secretary
Update: Truck underride standard, Headlamp change refused, antilock ruling upheld
Child restraint effectiveness is demonstrated in new film from Physicians for Automotive Safety
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Surveys show consumers prefer air bag protection when informed
Air bags are preferred to automatic belts, even when costing more, says DOT study
NHTSA warns of Ford transmission problems, could lead to largest vehicle recall in history
A simple way for Ford owners to identify if their vehicles may be affected by recall
Quoted without comment
States urged to consider mandatory belt use laws
States fail to upgrade crash-damaged protective devices on the highway
Federal Highway Administration studies uniform rail grade-crossing traffic controls
GAO recommends curbs on urban use of trucks carrying liquefied gases
Congressional subcommittee urges Firestone tire recall
REPRINT: ‘Columbia Journalism Review’ The Pinto Story: The Press in Low Gear
Update: New RRR standards, Pinto fuel tanks
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NHTSA chooses VIN formula; IIHS protests
The VIN ‘check digit’ process, the policeman’s calculation
GA driver ed project flawed, IIHS warns
NHTSA advisory committee members question research and development priorities
Runaway truck crashes bring bout NTSB safety recommendations
Escape ramp use indicates frequent truck brake failure
Quoted without comment
Deaths, injuries mount in helmet law repeal areas, studies show
NHTSA draws fire researchers, labor groups for lack of heavy truck safety goals
Institute protests delay in underride standard
Regulation spurring auto industry renaissance, says government safety official
Claybrook cites NHTSA’s need for medical specialists
Update: Antilock brake appeal, Brighter headlamps, Results of regulation
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NHTSA expands study of fuel tank defects
Institute president urges aggressive competition in the best spirit among auto makers for better auto safety
Danish researchers urge passive restraint protection
Quoted without comment
Tires to be graded on performance
NHTSA charges some firestone radials defective
GAO criticizes delay in light truck, van safety
Massachusetts motorcycle helmet law repeal vetoed by Gov. Dukakis
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Insurance commissioners criticize vehicle design for needles human and property damage
Major bus company urges speed controls for trucks, buses
GAO finds national driver register not properly identifying drivers with dangerous records
Air bag funds limited, but research is approved at Congressional conference
Seat belt use found low among drinking drivers
Weak impact of Norway’s drink-drive laws analyzed
Update: Omni/Horizon handling found safe
Manufacturers held liable for high-speed tire failure
Motorist wins damages for injuries inflicted by guardrail
Ford found negligent for lack of rear seat protection
Correction
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Institute urges recall of multi-piece wheels and rims
NTSB urges review of driver licensing rules, emphasizing “one man, one license” policy
Collision coverage losses up substantially for first half of 1978 passenger cars
DOT report rebuts automaker charges of costly, burdensome regulations
New DOT film highlights emergency medical services
NHSTA says VW Rabbits with passive systems have a lower death rate than those without
‘Consumer Reports’ finds Dodge Omni/Horizon ‘not acceptable’
New publication summarizes Institute programs
GM argues Chevette tests investigating the threat of fire by NHTSA were flawed
Update: AASHTO’s role, Antilock brakes
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Private-plane safety measures found lagging
US General Accounting Office critical of Congress and DOT on road safety programs, urges national rail crossing standards
Manufacturers to answer for front seating for 3 but safety belts for 2
Under federal pressure, Ford recalls Pintos, Bobcats for gas tank problems
Update: Chevette hearing postponed
New Institute film shows the hazards of underride crashes
House hearing explores options to increase belt use
House votes to limit occupant protection fund, curbing DOT enforcement of restraint rules
Maryland helmet repeal law vetoed
REPRINT: ‘The Evening Sun’ Mudercycles?
Correction
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Tennessee’s child restraint law for kids under 4 only has limited effect, Institute researcher says
NHTSA proposes child restraints meet crash test standards
NHTSA to set standards for child test dummies
Proposed anti-theft rules aimed at ‘joyriders,’ and stolen vehicles, which are more likely to be involved in a crash
Federal spending on vehicle standard programs get only about 4 percent of total federal traffic safety budget
Update: Bumper damage, Crash parts
On-board mini-computers in police cars help identify people driving with suspended or revoked licenses
NHTSA’s close watch on air-bag ejections very accurate
DOT finds fire hazards in 3 subcompact fuel systems, leading to initial steps to recalls
Correction
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NHTSA head, Joan Claybrook, publicly criticizes auto, motorcycle makers for working against government regulation and endorsing unsafe practices
Omission
Court reverses NHTSA truck brake rule in San Francisco
Association of Trial Lawyers of America urges Ford to recall models with defective fuel tanks, especially Pinto models
Cooperation between local group and government identifies, removes roadside hazards in New Hampshire
Safety program unveils large research safety vehicle
Auto front end redesigns could reduce some pedestrian injuries by 25 percent, study says
Update: IIHS petition granted
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Most of the injured in crashes aren't the vehicle purchasers
Crash tests show costly vehicle design defects
Holding children on laps during auto travel risky
Burn injuries significant public health problem
Institute urges NIMA to change proposed VIN rule
NHTSA proposal would double headlight brightness
Canada's alcohol-linked traffic deaths studied
Virginia reports success with highway 'crash cushions'
Update: Antilock brakes
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Traffic safety information found ineffective in changing driver habits
NHTSA announces five-year rulemaking priorities, side impacts take priority
'No damage' allowed for filler panels in bumper systems
NHTSA proposes to drop some rulemaking actions
Human impact tolerances to injury studied
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Air bag-equipped cars in demand for 1980 models, raising possibility of meeting standard 2 years early
Large fleet operators show interest
Quoted without comment
Eye-level brake lights cut rear-end collisions in half
Pennsylvania researchers claim cab safety belts missing
General motors plans automatic belt option
Cars show sharp contrasts in loss experience, HLDI report analyzed
Transportation secretary backs airbrakes for trucks -- not for trailers
Update: parkway barriers, passive restraint order
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FHWA rejects lowered design standards
IIHS discovery of leaky fuel tanks leads to Omni, Horizon recall
NHTSA proposes new form of VIN
Update: Automatic restraints
GAO resists 'optional' state vehicle inspection program
Swedish inspectors report on auto defects unlike US
New air bag system designed for compact cars
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Collision claims fewer, but cost is up, reports HLDI
Study corroborates small-car crash involvement
HLDI announces new "collision loss bulletin"
Court of appeals reverses 'Evans rule,' auto makers have liability in defective design
License penalties found effective in DUI cases
Study analyzes effect of strict Finnish drunk driving laws
British 'breathalyzer blitz' boosts drunk-driving arrests
GAO study calls out highway construction zone hazards
NHTSA refuses further delay of bus brake standard
FHWA evaluating skid accident reduction program
Summary of driver education findings available
New members join Institute boards
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