Safe Collision Repairs

Minor Impacts to Toyota Prius Cause Expensive Repair Bills

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:14:32 PST

A recent series of low-speed crash tests were performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on twenty small cars. The tests shockingly revealed that it cost almost as much to repair a Toyota Prius as it does to repair a luxury car after a minor bump. IIHS senior vice president, Joe Nolen condemned carmaker's efforts to merge repairability with stylish designs by saying, "bumpers on most cars aren't worthy of the term...Small cars are supposed to be economical, but there's nothing economical about three or four thousand dollars in repairs after a low-speed collision." IIHS believes impacts such as these, which are typical of minor parking lot bumps, should not cause damage to cars. IIHS then worked with Tech-Cor, the research arm for Allstate Insurance to prove costs could be reduced without sacrificing style and minimal effort from auto manufacturers.

Increased Roof Strength Aids SUV Occupants During Rollovers

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:03:49 PST

Every passenger vehicle meets federal requirements for roof strength, measured in a test, and some manufacturers see to it that cars and trucks in their product lines exceed the requirements by substantial amounts. The question has been whether stronger roofs actually reduce injury risk in real-world rollover crashes. Some studies have concluded that the strength of a vehicle's roof has little or no effect on the likelihood of injury, but a new Institute study indicates that roof strength definitely influences injury risk. Learn more about roof strength in rollover crashes in this article.

Sacrificing Vehicle Safety to Gain Fuel Economy Not Good

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:47:41 PST

Great strides have been made with regard to keeping vehicle occupants safe in accidents. This past year nearly every vehicle tested by NHTSA earned a top rating for frontal crashworthiness, and automakers are seeing tremendous gains in their quest for high ratings for side impact protection as well. As Congress looks to toughen federal fuel economy standards. it would be wise to first consider their effect on vehicle crashworthiness so we don't lose the benefits of safer vehicles newer technologies have allowed us to enjoy.

How Airbags Went From Controversial to Commonplace

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:24:52 PST

During the 1970-80s, automakers resisted airbags. By the late 1990s frontal airbags were standard in new cars in the US market, and automakers quickly began offering optional side airbags. Now head-protecting side airbags are in nearly 70 percent of new cars, and some manufacturers offer knee airbags. In this article you will step back in time to see a history of how airbags came to be used in American cars.

Self-Driving Cars

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:24:18 PST

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense that�s responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military. Their latest project is to encourage the development of vehicles that will drive themselves, autonomously.

New Technology Helps Drivers Stay in Their Lane and Avoid Lane-Change Collisions

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:47:08 PST

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 200,000 car crashes a year happen due to automobiles leaving their lanes. Now, two new safety technologies could serve as an extra set of "eyes" for drivers and help them avoid a collision caused by an inadvertent lane change or by colliding with a vehicle in the side blind spot while changing lanes.

Bumpers on Luxury Cars Aren't Luxurious: Worst is Infiniti G35

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:40:39 PST

Bumpers, even those on expensive cars, don't resist damage in low-speed impacts. The Infiniti G35, the worst performer, sustained almost $14,000 damage in a series of 4 tests conducted at 3 and 6 mph by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Saab 9-3 was the best, sustaining $5,243 damage. Only 3 cars sustained less than $6,000 damage, while 4 would cost more than $10,000 to fix. Bumpers, even those on expensive cars, don't resist damage in low-speed impacts. The Infiniti G35, the worst performer, sustained almost $14,000 damage in a series of 4 tests conducted at 3 and 6 mph by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Saab 9-3 was the best, sustaining $5,243 damage. Only 3 cars sustained less than $6,000 damage, while 4 would cost more than $10,000 to fix.

GM Fast Tracks New Accident Avoidance Technology

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:06:00 PST

General Motors Corporation (GM) has given the green light to German electronics manufacturer, Continental AG, for implementation of new technology to help drivers avoid accidents and injuries. Of particular significance is the fact that the deal took less than one year to complete, a feat that�s equivalent to a flash of lightning compared to the lengthy amount of time it took GM to make up its mind only a decade ago. If GM can continue adding innovations to its product line in the future with the same speed, it will enhance its position in the global market and make its products more desirable to a new breed of well-informed car shoppers ... [MORE]

Car Manufacturers Biggie-Size Interiors to Accommodate Heftier Americans

Tue, 18 Jul 2006 12:13:00 PST

Carmakers are letting Americans weigh in on some important decisions these days because their opinion is important, and they want to continue to sell automobiles to them. Manufacturers want consumers to have good experiences in their brand, and part of that is making sure occupants are well-protected when they are involved in accidents. But auto manufacturers face a quandry. About one-third of Americans are obese increasing the odds they'll suffer injuries in an accident. To keep from offending those who are overweight, most car manufacturers are being slightly covert about changes they intend on making to protect them in accidents. Thousands of overweight and underweight Americans have had their say by being measured and weighed so mannequins and test dummies can more accurately reflect the true size and shape of occupants. Cars will eventually be reshaped ... [MORE]

The Underinflated Value of Tires

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 03:12:00 PST

The importance of keeping tires properly inflated and well maintained has come into focus recently due to the unusually high number of rollover accidents involving SUVs and 15 passenger vans. Because these vehicles have a high center of gravity they are particularly prone to tipping, even at speeds as low ... [MORE]

Honda Unveils a Doggone Good Concept Car

Sat, 08 Oct 2005 14:53:00 PST

Thinking outside-the-box is not a new thing for the creative geniuses at Honda. However, thinking was recently taken to a new level when designers created a vehicle from a dog�s point of view. Yes, you read it correctly. Honda recently unveiled its �wonderful openhearted wagon� better know as the W.O.W. concept vehicle to reporters, and will include it as part of an exhibit at the Tokyo ...[MORE]

NHTSA Concerned about Rollovers on 15-Passenger Vans

Wed, 06 Jul 2005 01:06:00 PST

In 2001, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)began to issue a warning about the dangers of 15-passenger vans, which are a favorite mode of transportation for youth groups, churches, and athletic teams. It has since reiterated the warning, on a national basis, three more times in the past four years. Even with all of the warnings, we continue to learn of tragedies like the death of six year old Blake Stamper, who was killed as he was ejected from a 2001 Chevrolet 15 passenger van. [MORE]