News archive

Putting the brakes on large truck crashes

Sep 3, 2020 — Large trucks with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are much less likely to rear-end another vehicle, IIHS researchers found in a new study.

Small cars have high driver death rates

May 28, 2020 — Among late-model vehicles, small cars and minicars remain the most dangerous, according to new driver death rates calculated by IIHS. Nearly half of the 20 models with the lowest death rates are luxury SUVs.

Dealers don't mention teen safety features

May 19, 2020 — Many vehicles allow parents to monitor or control aspects of their teen’s driving, but salespeople often require prompting before they bring up these systems with prospective buyers.

More pedestrians are dying on freeways

Dec 19, 2019 — Pedestrian fatalities on U.S. interstates and other freeways rose 60 percent from 2009 to 2018. Most of those killed were trying to cross the freeway in urban areas.

New IIHS side crash test coming soon

Nov 21, 2019 — The IIHS side crash test has led to lifesaving improvements but is no longer challenging automakers. Engineers are working on an update that will raise the bar for side crash protection.

Weight differences limit compatibility progress

Oct 10, 2019 — Today's SUVs aren't a major threat to occupants of smaller vehicles, new IIHS research shows. Pickups, on the other hand, still represent an outsize danger when they crash with cars, and the weight imbalance is a likely reason.

Protected bike lanes aren't perfect

Aug 15, 2019 — Bike lanes separated from the roadway by physical barriers make cyclists feel safer, but many of them have a high risk of injury.

Drivers are confused about automation

Jun 20, 2019 — Many of today's vehicles can stay in a lane and maintain a set following distance with minimal driver input. But some drivers are confused about the limitations of these systems.

Is automation used where it's intended?

Jun 20, 2019 — For the most part, drivers are using today's automation where it was intended — on interstates and other freeways — though some individuals may be using it outside of the intended domain.

Better restraints needed in back seat

Apr 25, 2019 — A new study of crashes in which belted rear-seat passengers were killed or seriously injured suggests better restraint systems are needed.

Better belt reminders would save lives

Apr 25, 2019 — Persistent audible belt reminders are no less effective than interlocks and may raise fewer concerns for drivers, new research suggests.

Autobrake is good but could be better

Feb 21, 2019 — Automatic emergency braking does a good job preventing typical front-to-rear crashes, but the technology could be enhanced to address less-common types of rear-end crashes.

Updated teen vehicle recommendations

Nov 1, 2018 — A pair of IIHS crash tests shows why teen drivers should be steered away from minicars and small cars. Updated used vehicle recommendations help families find alternatives.

States with legal pot see higher crashes

Oct 18, 2018 — Crashes are up as much as 6 percent in Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, compared with neighboring states that haven't legalized recreational marijuana, new research shows.

Eight trailer makers earn underride protection award

Sep 27, 2018 — Seven years after IIHS found serious shortcomings in the rear underride guards of most semitrailers, the eight largest North American manufacturers are now making rear guards capable of preventing deadly underride in a range of scenarios.

Parents use tech to control teens' driving

Sep 13, 2018 — A new IIHS survey shows Ford’s MyKey system, which allows parents to control things like top vehicle speed when their teenagers are driving, is catching on. However, more than a third of respondents said they didn't know their vehicle was equipped with the system.

Drivers brake for lower speed limit

Aug 28, 2018 — A 5 mph drop in the speed limit makes city streets safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists alike. A look at Boston's experience.

Tesla crash shows risk of partial automation

Aug 7, 2018 — A deadly crash of a Tesla Model X demonstrates the operational limits of advanced driver assistance systems and the dangers of putting too much trust in them.

Safety groups release red light camera guidelines

Jul 24, 2018 — AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Safety Council have collaborated on a checklist that provides practical instructions for planning, implementing and evaluating red light camera programs.

Study examines rising pedestrian deaths

May 8, 2018 — Pedestrian deaths have jumped 46 percent since 2009. The increase has been mostly in cities and suburbs, away from intersections, on arterial roads and in the dark.

New ratings target backing crashes

Feb 22, 2018 — Two rear autobrake systems earn the highest rating of superior, and four earn the second-highest rating of advanced in the first IIHS evaluations of rear crash prevention systems.

Systems cut real-world backing crashes

Feb 22, 2018 — Rear autobrake bundled with rear parking sensors and a rearview camera can cut backing crash rates by more than 75 percent, new IIHS research shows.

IIHS addresses safety of aftermarket parts

Feb 15, 2018 — The Institute recently shared an advisory on aftermarket repair parts with its member companies as part of periodic updates on topics of particular interest to insurers.

New dummy eases booster evaluations

Nov 21, 2017 — IIHS is using a new, specially designed dummy for booster evaluations. Manufacturers can use this new tool in the design process to ensure boosters provide proper belt fit.

Car tech could protect motorcyclists

Oct 19, 2017 — Crash avoidance features on passenger vehicles could prevent or mitigate more than 8,000 crashes with motorcycles if the systems were designed to detect them.

Side guard prevents truck underride in 40 mph crash

Aug 29, 2017 — An aftermarket device that attaches to the sides of a tractor-trailer successfully prevented a midsize car from sliding underneath the trailer in a 40 mph crash test conducted by IIHS.

Lane departure warning cuts crashes

Aug 23, 2017 — Lane departure warning and blind spot detection are helping to prevent the type of crashes they were designed to address, new IIHS research shows.

Adult belt use lags in the back seat

Aug 3, 2017 — Adults know children must be properly restrained, but when it comes to their own safety, many mistakenly believe safety belts are optional in the rear seat. In a recent IIHS survey, more than a quarter of adults said they don't always buckle up when riding in the back.

Crashes go up where marijuana is legal

Jun 22, 2017 — Collision claim rates have increased 3 percent in Colorado, Oregon and Washington, after recreational marijuana use was legalized in those states.

Stronger economy means higher death rate

May 25, 2017 — The risk of dying in a crash in a late-model vehicle has gone up slightly because of the stronger economy. A new study predicts traffic deaths will fall only slightly over the coming years, given current economic forecasts.

Summer brings more traffic deaths

May 25, 2017 — Summer and early fall are the most dangerous times of the year on the nation's roads. Fatalities also are higher on weekends and certain holidays.

New award spotlights underride guards

Mar 1, 2017 — Five North American semitrailer manufacturers earn the new IIHS Toughguard award recognizing rear underride guards that are designed to prevent a range of deadly underride crashes.

Treatment reduces alcohol re-arrests

Feb 1, 2017 — Alcohol-impaired driving offenders are less likely to reoffend after their interlocks are removed if they have been referred for treatment, a recent study found.

Rearview cameras reduce backing crashes

Nov 17, 2016 — An IIHS study of police-reported backing collisions shows that rearview cameras cut such crashes by 16 percent. Older drivers benefit the most.

Humans, not robots, still hold the wheel

Nov 10, 2016 — Self-driving vehicles are coming, but they won't supplant human drivers for decades to come. Automation can reduce crashes, but so can focusing on tried-and-true countermeasures.

Drivers who drift from lane may be asleep

Sep 1, 2016 — Drivers who crash as a result of drifting out of their lanes often are asleep, suffering a medical emergency, or blacked out due to drug or alcohol use.

Red light camera shut-offs cost lives

Jul 28, 2016 — Red light camera programs in 79 large U.S. cities saved nearly 1,300 lives through 2014, new research shows. When such programs are shut down, the rate of fatal red-light-running crashes shoots up 30 percent.

Small overlap protection for passengers

Jun 23, 2016 — Vehicles that provide good protection for drivers in small overlap crashes don’t always offer the same protection to front-seat passengers, a new IIHS study shows.

80 mph limit leads to higher speeds

Jun 23, 2016 — A study of speed limit increases in Utah adds to the evidence that raising limits leads to higher travel speeds and more people exceeding the new limit.

High horsepower connected with speeding

May 24, 2016 — High-horsepower vehicles are more likely to exceed the speed limit and have higher mean speeds than more sedate engines, IIHS researchers have found.

Automakers agree to standard AEB by 2022

Mar 17, 2016 — Automakers representing 99 percent of the U.S. auto market have committed to making front crash prevention with automatic braking standard on virtually all new vehicles by 2022.

Electronic logs are mandated at last

Feb 26, 2016 — A historic mandate for electronic logs is bringing trucker work-rule compliance into the 21st century. The change comes more than 29 years after IIHS first petitioned for it.

Study provides new window on distraction

Dec 10, 2015 — An IIHS analysis of data from a large naturalistic driving study provides new evidence that cellphones and other distractions raise the odds of a crash.

Good head restraints cut injuries

Nov 10, 2015 — An updated HLDI-IIHS analysis shows that injury rates are 11 percent lower in rear crashes when vehicles are equipped with good head restraints compared with poor ones.

Speed cameras cut injury crashes

Oct 1, 2015 — A speed-camera program in a large community near Washington, D.C., has led to long-term changes in driver behavior and substantial reductions in deaths and injuries.

Automakers pledge to make automatic braking standard

Sep 11, 2015 — The commitment by a group of major vehicle manufacturers was announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation and IIHS. It represents a big step toward making crash avoidance technologies widely available.

Front crash prevention benefits mount

Aug 26, 2015 — Insurance data show that vehicles with front crash prevention have lower rates of claims for damage to other vehicles and injuries to people in other vehicles.

Ford F-150 crew cab aces IIHS tests

Jul 30, 2015 — The 2015 Ford F-150 crew cab earns a Top Safety Pick award, but the extended cab version falls short for small overlap protection.

Aluminum repairs are pricier than steel

Jul 30, 2015 — The Ford F-150 crew cab scores high marks for crashworthiness, but the aluminum-body pickup costs more to repair after minor crashes than its steel-body predecessor.

Answers to common LATCH questions

Jun 18, 2015 — These explanations about LATCH weight limits, center seating positions and other issues can help clear up confusion.

Sobriety checkpoints aren't used enough

May 12, 2015 — Well-publicized checkpoints are a proven tool to reduce impaired driving, but few law enforcement agencies conduct them regularly, an IIHS survey shows.

Strong GDL laws maximize benefits

Mar 31, 2015 — Graduated licensing is reducing fatal crashes among teen drivers, but many states could do much better if they strengthened their laws.

Analysis sheds light on bike crashes

Mar 31, 2015 — A new study looks at the types of crashes bicyclist detection systems would need to address in order to be most effective at reducing deaths and injuries.

Voice systems can reduce distraction

Mar 3, 2015 — Using voice commands to make calls and perform other tasks helps drivers keep their eyes on the road, but it doesn't eliminate visual distraction completely.

Why older drivers are dying less often

Mar 3, 2015 — The fatality rate among drivers age 75 and older has improved because they are involved in fewer crashes per mile traveled and are surviving side impacts more often.

Death rates fall as vehicles improve

Jan 29, 2015 — Drivers of late-model vehicles are a third less likely to die in crashes than they were a few years ago, but the gap between the best and worst vehicles remains wide.

Cars sold in India earn zero stars

Nov 20, 2014 — Two cars sold in India, Nissan's Datsun Go and the Maruti Suzuki Swift, fall short of minimum safety standards, new crash tests show.

More evidence that motorcycle ABS works

Nov 20, 2014 — Antilock brakes can benefit high-risk and low-risk riders, a new HLDI study that categorizes motorcyclists based on auto claims rates shows.

Searching for answers on distraction

Oct 24, 2014 — A new study by IIHS and Virginia Tech helps clarify the risk of cellphone use behind the wheel and offers insight into other distracting behaviors that drivers engage in.

Bans reduce phone use but not crashes

Oct 24, 2014 — Even with strong enforcement, bans on handheld phone use and texting aren't reducing crashes reported to insurers, a new HLDI analysis shows.

Certain cars elevate risk for teens

Jul 16, 2014 — Teens' high risk of crashing is amplified by certain vehicles, and teens are more likely than other drivers to have the least safe types of cars, new studies show.

More evidence of GDL benefits

Dec 19, 2013 — A recent study provides more evidence that graduated driver licensing cuts fatal crashes among 16 and 17 year-olds and identifies components with large benefits.

Vehicle vandalism peaks on Halloween

Oct 30, 2013 — Personal vehicles are almost twice as likely to be vandalized on Oct. 31 as on an average day, HLDI finds. Other holidays with high vandalism claim numbers are July Fourth and New Year's Day, while Thanksgiving and Christmas have below-average claim numbers.

IIHS launches front crash prevention ratings

Sep 27, 2013 — Seven midsize vehicles earn top marks under the new test program, which aims to help consumers decide which systems to consider. The ratings program is based on research by HLDI showing that forward collision warning and autobrake systems help drivers avoid front-to-rear crashes.

Dealers: Good crash ratings boost sales

Sep 27, 2013 — Dealers of two brands that did well in the Institute's small overlap front crash test say the good ratings brought in customers and boosted sales.

Ford F-250 replaces luxury SUV as favorite theft target

Jul 9, 2013 — The Ford F-250 pickup has the highest rate of insurance claims for theft of any 2010-12 vehicle, replacing the Cadillac Escalade at the top of the list. The Escalade is now at No. 6 on HLDI's list of vehicles with high theft rates.

Safety gains aren't global

Jun 27, 2013 — Car buyers in the U.S. benefit from a safety marketplace where there is a wealth of consumer information. The story is different in developing markets, but some groups are helping them catch up.

IIHS petitions for ABS on all motorcycles

Jun 6, 2013 — With more data confirming the safety value of antilock brakes on motorcycles, IIHS and HLDI have formally petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require the technology on all models.

Top tethers often overlooked by parents

Apr 25, 2013 — A strap meant to prevent a child restraint from tipping forward in a crash is ignored by lots of parents. A new IIHS study finds top tethers are used just over half of the time.

Truck underride guards leave car occupants at risk

Mar 14, 2013 — Modern semitrailers for the most part do a good job of keeping passenger vehicles from sliding underneath when they crash into the backs of trucks. But the trailers fail to prevent potentially deadly underride in crashes involving only a small portion of the truck's rear, new IIHS tests show.

More evidence that red light cameras work

Jan 24, 2013 — A new study of red light cameras in Arlington, Va., shows that cameras reduce red light violations, with particularly large decreases for violations that occur at least 1½ seconds after the light turned red.

Hybrids have lower injury odds

Nov 17, 2011 — The odds of being injured in a crash are 25 percent lower for people in hybrids than people traveling in the nonhybrid versions of the same vehicles, a new HLDI study indicates.

Highway safety's low-hanging fruit

Aug 18, 2011 — Tried-and-true strategies such as safety belt and helmet laws and lower speed limits don't grab headlines, but they still have the potential to save many lives.

Most drivers favor red light cameras, survey finds

Jun 30, 2011 — Two-thirds of drivers in 14 big cities with longstanding red light camera programs support their use, a new IIHS survey indicates. The strong public support confirms that red light camera opponents, while vocal, are a minority.

Red light cameras slash fatalities

Feb 1, 2011 — Red light cameras saved 159 lives in 2004-08 in 14 of the biggest U.S. cities, a new IIHS analysis shows. Had cameras been operating during that period in all large cities, a total of 815 deaths would have been prevented.

Good IIHS side ratings translate into fewer deaths

Jan 19, 2011 — Drivers of vehicles that perform well in the Institute's side-impact crash test are much less likely to die in a real-world left-side crash than drivers of vehicles that do poorly, a new analysis finds. The study includes only passenger vehicles with side airbags, demonstrating that airbags, while crucial, are far from the whole story in side crash protection.

Low-speed vehicles shouldn't mix with regular traffic

May 20, 2010 — More states are allowing a relatively new breed of vehicle on public roads, but crash tests by IIHS show why the mix of low-speed vehicles or minitrucks and regular traffic is a deadly combination. These vehicles don't have to meet the basic safety standards that cars and pickups do, and they aren't designed to protect their occupants in crashes.

Good rear ratings mean less whiplash

Mar 15, 2008 — The rate of neck injury complaints is lower in cars and SUVs with seat/head restraint combinations that are rated good by the Institute than those rated poor.

Tests predict real-world crash outcomes

Feb 7, 2004 — Drivers of vehicles with good frontal ratings from the Institute are about 74 percent less likely to die than drivers of vehicles rated poor, a new study shows.

Traffic safety laws can change behavior

May 19, 2001 — Most demonstrable improvements in driver behavior come from traffic safety laws. Belt use, motorcycle helmet use and travel speeds are clear examples.