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. 20037.
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. 20009. 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. "
55 MPH: 'It Still Makes a Difference' Vol. No. 1987-3
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.
GAO Review Confir s Advantages Of Raising Drinking e for Young Drivers Institute Files Brief in Support Of 21 Drinking
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."
Congressman Asks: Why Was On Board Recorder Petition Denied?
NHTSA Needs Fine Tuning, Reports Safety Task Force
Dole Approves Daytime Running Light Petition Canada to Require Daytime Running Lights
lo-iihs Vol. No. 1987 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 1,248 38 473 Volkswagen Cabriolet 1,460 1,123 69 780 Volkswagen Jetta-4Dr 12,240 710 40 287 Saab 900-2Dr 3,110 615 75 461 Volkswagen Golf-2Dr 2,292 559 34 192 Porsche 944 Cou pe 2,799 557 67 375 Saab 900-4Dr 2,054 509 53 267 Volkswagen Golf-4Dr 4,260 335 44 148 Audi 5000 6,126 309 61 190 Chevrolet Camaro 24,853 301 247 743 All 1986 Models 1,460,151 100 $1,913 100 = $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 1,123 69 780 Chevrolet Camaro 24,853 301 247 743 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 12,465 226 305 688 Pontiac Firebird 14,538 275 212 583 Volkswagen GTI 2,591 1,248 38 473 Saab 900-2Dr 3,110 615 75 461 Porsche 944 Coupe 2,799 557 67 375 Cadillac DeVille-2Dr 4,843 215 139 300 Buick Regal 11,204 175 168 294 Volkswagen Jetta-4Dr 12,240 710 40 287 All 1986 Models 1,460,151 100 $1,913 100 = $17.3 *Claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years Supreme Court Rejects Appeal On Automatic Restraints
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. 6000 Monthly Deaths and Trend January 1971 - January 1987 5000 C/)..c +-I a:s Q) 0 '+- 0 "- Q)...Q E:::::J 4000 Z 3000 2000 1972 1974 1976 1978 Year 1980 1982 1984 1986
On The Inside