Status Report, Vol. 46: 2011

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

Volume 46, Number 4 • April 26, 2011

First electric car crash tests show Chevrolet's Volt and Nissan's Leaf are top safety performers

Some truck drivers might get more rest under a proposed revision to hours of service regulations

Onboard recorders finally may be required for interstate carriers

Rollover airbags are expected to become standard

Teen driver DVD discusses ways to keep young beginners safe

Volume 46, Number 3 • March 30, 2011

Pedestrians stand to benefit from new vehicle technology and design changes aimed at preventing crashes

Volvo brings the first pedestrian avoidance system to U.S. market

Quiet electric and hybrid vehicles to get noise requirement

Stephen L. Oesch retires

Volume 46, Number 2 • March 1, 2011

Underride guards can fail in real-world crashes, and crash tests demonstrate the need for new standards to address the deadly problem

Moves to upgrade standards on underride guards have been slowing

Belt use rises when fines for not buckling up increases

Laura P. Sullivan was the first woman to serve as Institute chairman

Volume 46, Number 1 • February 1, 2011

Red light running kills

Jean Good and Jay Good, 58

Billie Ray Spence, 64

Shane Kieser, 19

Marcus May-Cook, 3

City uses cameras as safety tool, not moneymaker

Questions and answers about red light cameras

Deborah Parsons-Mason, 47

Common thread binds crashes depite different story lines

Amber Cornett, 16