NHTSA Decision Will Mean 'More Air Bags Sooner'

Transcription

1 NHTSA Decision Will Mean 'More Air Bags Sooner' STATUS REPORT INDEX Single copies of the subject index for the 1986 edition of Status Report are available free. For a copy, write: Publications, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Watergate 600, Washington, D.C

2 NHTSA Decision Will Mean 'More Air Bags Sooner' THE CAR BOOK The 1987 edition of The Car Book, a buyer's guide to auto safety, fuel economy, and maintenance costs, is now available in bookstores or by mail. The guide, written by Jack Gillis and supported by the Center for Auto Safety, includes a chapter with information on automatic crash protection systems, seat belt laws in each state, child safety seats, and crash test results. The Car Book, published by Harper and Row, has information on more than 700 cars. The book, which costs $9.95, can be ordered from the Center for Auto Safety, 2001 SStreet NW, Suite 410, Washington, D.C THEY'RE COVERED, TOO The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has dropped a proposal to rescind the automatic restraint requirement for convertibles. On grounds of cost, six manufacturers sought to exempt convertibles from meeting the automatic restraint requirements. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety strongly opposed the exemption, however, noting that the use of air bags in convertibles would not significantly affect car prices because by the 1990 model year, they will be produced in large enough quantities to keep their cost reasonable. NHTSA agreed with the Institute and said that by Sept. 1, 1989, the installation of air bags or automatic safety belts in convertibles will be both "reasonable and practicable. "

3 55 MPH: 'It Still Makes a Difference' Vol. No

4 Congress Clears Way For Higher Speeds BUCKLE UP IN VA. Virginia Governor Gerald L. Baliles has signed into law a mandatory seat belt law for motorists. The law will take effect Jan. 1, 1988, and carries a $25 fine. However, the statute has a secondary enforcement provision, meaning that police must stop motorists for some other infraction before giving a ticket for failure to buckle up.

5 GAO Review Confir s Advantages Of Raising Drinking e for Young Drivers Institute Files Brief in Support Of 21 Drinking

6 4, Institute Files Brief in Support Of 21 Drinking Age HWA Issues Two Rulemaking Notices On Trucking Industry SOUP TO NUTS The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has gone to some lengths in its proposed regulations to assure the safety and comfort of truckers. For those who want to install water beds in their sleeper berths, the agency is proposing the following requirements: In the event of a leak, the person sleeping on the bed must not get wet. The mattress must be of sufficient thickness that it will not "bottom out" on the slumbering trucker when the driver rounds a curve. The liquid used inside the mattress must not freeze at temperatures down to -20 degrees. To avoid the possibility of electrocution, electrical heaters may not be used to warm the mattress. Despite the FHWA's efforts to cover all possible contingencies, the proposed regulations covering annual inspections do not let fundamentals slip by unnoticed. In the detailed, seven-page list the agency specifies "the engine compartment hood: It must open."

7 Congressman Asks: Why Was On Board Recorder Petition Denied?

8 NHTSA Needs Fine Tuning, Reports Safety Task Force

9 Dole Approves Daytime Running Light Petition Canada to Require Daytime Running Lights

10 lo-iihs Vol. No Thieves Take To European Cars 1986 Models With the Highest Claim Frequencies Relative Exposure Relative Average (Insured Relative Average Loss Loss Payment Vehicle Claim Payment Per Insured Make and Series Years) Frequency Per Claim Vehicle Year Volkswagen GTI 2,591 1, Volkswagen Cabriolet 1,460 1, Volkswagen Jetta-4Dr 12, Saab 900-2Dr 3, Volkswagen Golf-2Dr 2, Porsche 944 Cou pe 2, Saab 900-4Dr 2, Volkswagen Golf-4Dr 4, Audi , Chevrolet Camaro 24, All 1986 Models 1,460, $1, = $17.3 *Claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years 1986 Models With the Highest Average Loss Payments Per Insured Vehicle Year Relative Exposure Relative Average (Insured Relative Average Loss Loss Payment Vehicle Claim Payment Per Insured Make and Series Years) Frequency Per Claim Vehicle Year Volkswagen Cabriolet 1,460 1, Chevrolet Camaro 24, Chevrolet Monte Carlo 12, Pontiac Firebird 14, Volkswagen GTI 2,591 1, Saab 900-2Dr 3, Porsche 944 Coupe 2, Cadillac DeVille-2Dr 4, Buick Regal 11, Volkswagen Jetta-4Dr 12, All 1986 Models 1,460, $1, = $17.3 *Claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years Supreme Court Rejects Appeal On Automatic Restraints

11 Traffic Deaths Increase in January 1987 Traffic fatalities in January of 1987 rose to 3,178. This was an increase of 1.7 percent over the previous January and the highest death toll for the month in six years. In 1986, 44,817 persons lost their lives in traffic collisions Monthly Deaths and Trend January January C/)..c +-I a:s Q) 0 '+- 0 "- Q)...Q E:::::J 4000 Z Year

12 On The Inside