Vehicle Safety Technology Has Saved Over 600,000 Lives Since 1960 Says NHTSA
A new report issued by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that since 1960 motor vehicle safety technologies including seat belts, air bags, child safety seats, and electronic stability control have saved 613,501 lives.
Since 1975 the NHTSA has been assessing the effectiveness of automotive safety technologies. The latest study evaluates virtually all the life-saving technologies introduced in passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans related to the application of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. From 1960 through 2012, seat belts are shown to have been the best at preventing death and injury in a crash having saved more than 330,000 lives. Collapsible steering wheels and airbags together account for a further 123,000 lives saved – See table below.
The impact of the more recently mandated crash avoidance system electronic stability control (ESC) is also starting to deliver on its fatality reduction potential. ESC detects when a vehicle is about to lose traction and automatically applies the brakes to individual wheels and/or reduces engine torque to help the driver stay on course. It is a highly effective crash avoidance technology, particularly in preventing rollover crashes. In April 2007, NHTSA issued a final rule requiring ESC in all new light vehicles, beginning with phased in requirements for model year 2009 vehicles. ESC has been standard in all new vehicles since model year 2012. NHTSA estimates that ESC has already saved almost 6,200 lives.
Commenting on the new report, Global NCAP’s Secretary General, David Ward, said “NHTSA’s report confirms the remarkable life-saving impact of vehicle safety technologies. Improved car safety in the US has saved more than 600,000 lives since 1960; a remarkable success achieved by both regulation and consumer information. This combination of ‘regulatory push’ and ‘demand pull’ creates a market safety which is the winning formula that is now being applied across the world as part of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.”
See: http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/NHTSA-sets-AEB-plans,-highlights-lives-saved-repoot
LIVES SAVED IN 1960 TO 2012
FMVSS No. and Topic / Lives Saved
208/209/210 Seat belts / 329,715
203/204 Energy-absorbing steering assemblies / 79,989
208 Frontal air bags / 42,856
206 Door locks, latches and hinges / 42,135
201 Occupant protection in interior impact / 34,477
214 Side impact protection (incl. side air bags) / 32,288
105/135 Dual master cylinders/front disc brakes / 18,350
213 Child safety seats / 9,891
212 Adhesive windshield bonding / 9,853
126 Electronic Stability Control / 6,169
216 Roof crush resistance / 4,913
108 Trailer conspicuity tape / 2,660
226 Rollover curtains / 178
301 Fuel system integrity / 26
TOTAL / 613,501
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