Electronic Stability Control Works!

This technology could prevent nearly one-third of all fatal crashes and reduce the risk of rolling over by as much as 80 percent. The benefits are found in crashes involving one vehicle and more than one.

Cars on wet road

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An extension of antilock brake technology, electronic stability control (ESC) is designed to help drivers retain control of their vehicles during high-speed maneuvers or on slippery
roads.  A previous Institute study found significant effects of ESC in reducing fatal single-vehicle crash risk. Using data from an additional year of crashes and a larger set of vehicle models, the researchers have updated the 2004 results, finding that ESC reduces fatal multiple-vehicle crash risk by 32 percent. Read more . . .

Road Debris Happens

Rebar snake on the road

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Sure, we all see a lot of stuff in the middle of the road, including the occasional dead skunk, but did you know that all this detritus actually results in thousands of automobile accident each year? According to new research released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, vehicle parts, cargo, or other material that has been unintentionally discharged from vehicles onto the roadway is estimated to cause over 25,000 crashes per year in North America, and those crashes, in turn, result in approximately 80-90 fatalities. Read more . . .

Peer Pressure–Good

A group of young boys

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“We know that adults can’t always persuade teens to do what’s best for them even if it will save their lives,” said Len Hunt, vice president in charge of the Volkswagen brand. “Sometimes peer pressure is more persuasive, which is why we decided to let teens convince other teens that buckling up is the thing to do.”

As part of a contest sponsored by Volkswagen, high school students from Read more . . .

Avoiding Airbag Fraud

Total wreck car

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You’ve heard about crash test dummies, but how about dummy airbags? If you just bought a used car, your life could be at risk and you might not know it. Drivers around the country rely on airbags to protect their life and the lives of their family and friends in an accident. Since 1999, all new passenger cars and light trucks in the United States have been required to have dual front airbags. They’ve become so common that many of us take them for granted. Read more . . .

Hi Ho Silver Is Safer

Silver rules the road. According to the DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report, an annual compilation of data on vehicle color trends, silver retains its top spot as the most popular car color. Year after year, car buyers show their love of silver. But now there might be another reason, aside from esthetics, for choosing silver as the color for your next car. A team of New Zealand epidemiologists has recently published a two-year study of crash data compiled in their homeland, and the results say occupants of silver cars are less likely to be involved in injury accidents than those riding in cars of another color. And while they seem steadfast that the results of the study are accurate, the most vexing thing is they can’t figure out why. Read more . . .