{"id":501,"date":"2017-05-04T13:53:39","date_gmt":"2017-05-04T17:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/info.glass.com\/?p=501"},"modified":"2022-04-04T12:37:29","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T16:37:29","slug":"iihs-safe-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/iihs-safe-vehicles\/","title":{"rendered":"IIHS: Who They Are and How They Keep Car’s Drivers Safe"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

How Does the IIHS Help Keep You Safe?<\/strong><\/h1>\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

Supported by insurers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety<\/a>, otherwise known as IIHS, is a nonprofit organization that studies ways to make vehicles safer.<\/p>\n

More specifically, its mission is to reduce the losses caused by car crashes, including deaths, injuries and property damage.<\/p>\n

The IIHS works hand-in-hand with the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). The latter carries out scientific studies of insurance data and publishes the results. These results alert the auto manufacturers as to what they can do to improve safety.<\/p>\n

Both organizations are funded by auto insurers and insurance associations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

History<\/strong><\/h2>\n

IIHS was founded in 1959 by three large insurance associations. It began by supporting highway safety efforts by others.<\/p>\n

10 years later, IIHS was re-launched as an independent research organization. The first federal highway safety chief of the US, William Haddon Jr., M.D., became president of IIHS in 1969. He oversaw the transition and shifted focus in the highway safety field away from entirely crash prevention. His new methods utilized modern science to recognize a full range of options for reducing crash losses.<\/p>\n

Thanks in part to the work of the Institute, the number of people killed on roads in the United States has fallen since 1979, even as the population and the number of miles driven have climbed. Much of this improvement is a result of safer vehicles, according to IIHS.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How Does the IIHS Help Keep You Safe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 1992, IIHS opened a Vehicle Research Center in central Virginia. At this facility, IIHS performs the crash tests that form the foundation for how it rates different vehicles in terms of safety.<\/p>\n

Vehicles are rated for safety based on performance in several tests, and the best performers carry the Top Safety Pick designation.<\/p>\n

\"iihs-crash-testing\"
A first-hand look at results from IIHS’ crash tests<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ratings Criteria<\/strong><\/h3>\n

IIHS tests evaluate two aspects of safety: crashworthiness \u2014 how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash \u2014 and crash avoidance and mitigation \u2014 technology that can prevent a crash or lessen its severity.<\/p>\n

The Institute rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor, based on performance in five tests: moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints.<\/p>\n

In the area of crash avoidance and mitigation, vehicles with available front crash prevention systems are rated basic, advanced or superior, based on the type of system and performance in track tests. The organization also test headlights and rate them good, acceptable, marginal or poor.<\/p>\n

To qualify for 2017 Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn good ratings in five crashworthiness tests \u2014 small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints \u2014 as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.<\/p>\n

\"iihs-head-restraint-test\"
Head restraint testing at IIHS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Top Safety Pick<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One vehicle that IIHS gives its highest rating to is the redesigned Honda CR-V.<\/p>\n

\"2017-honda-crv\"
2017 Honda CR-V<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Like the previous generation of the small SUV, the 2017 CR-V<\/a><\/u>\u00a0earned across-the-board good crashworthiness ratings. It is available with an optional front crash prevention system that earns a superior rating and acceptable-rated headlights, according to the Institute.<\/p>\n

When equipped with front crash prevention, the CR-V avoided collisions in the Institute’s 12 mph and 25 mph track tests. The system also has a forward collision warning system that meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration <\/u><\/a>(NHTSA) criteria.<\/p>\n

The LED headlights that come with the CR-V’s Touring trim earn an acceptable rating. The halogen lights on the model’s other trim levels are rated marginal.<\/p>\n

How does your vehicle fare?<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Headlights Issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In addition to testing specific models, the IIHS also does general studies to help improve vehicle safety. The organization conducted a recent test on how well headlights assist the driver with road visibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re having trouble seeing behind the wheel at night, it could very well be your headlights and not your eyes that are to blame,\u201d says David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer.<\/p>\n

\"dim
Dim headlights affect a majority of vehicles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Out of 31 midsize vehicles tested, only the Toyota Prius v has an available headlight system that earns a \u201cgood\u201d rating.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe results<\/u><\/a> are dismal,\u201d according to a statement by the IIHS.<\/p>\n

Think buying a luxury vehicle equals better headlights? Think again. IIHS say that among the 44 headlight systems that earned a poor rating, the halogen lights on the BMW 3 Series<\/u><\/a>\u00a0are the worst, according to IIHS.<\/p>\n

\"bmw
High-end models like BMW aren’t immune to headlight issues<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cA driver with those headlights would have to be going 35 mph or slower to stop in time for an obstacle in the travel lane,\u201d according to an IIHS statement. \u201cA better choice for the same car is a LED curve-adaptive system with high-beam assist, a combination that rates marginal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many headlight problems could be fixed with better aim, according to IIHS.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is simple enough to adjust on many vehicles, but the burden shouldn\u2019t fall on the consumer to figure out what the best aim is. Manufacturers need to pay attention to this issue to make sure headlights are aimed consistently and correctly at the factory,\u201d explains Matthew Brumbelow, an IIHS senior engineer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vehicle Recommendations<\/strong><\/h3>\n

IIHS also uses its study results to offer guidance. Have a teenager? IIHS has some advice on the best new and used models for them.<\/p>\n

Teenagers are among the riskiest drivers, but they often end up with inexpensive vehicles that don’t offer adequate protection in a crash, according to the Institute. To help families find safer vehicles that fit within their budgets, IIHS began publishing a list of recommended used vehicles for teens in 2014.<\/p>\n

The latest update<\/u><\/a>\u00a0includes 49 “best choices,” starting under $20,000, and 82 “good choices,” starting under $10,000.<\/p>\n

For the first time, small overlap front crash protection was added into the mix. And the bar has been raised for the less expensive good choices as well, with better side and head restraint ratings required.<\/p>\n

“Good crash protection is more affordable than ever, so there’s no need to skimp on safety when it comes to a vehicle for a young driver,\u201d says Zuby.<\/p>\n

Electronic stability control is an essential feature. This technology, which cuts single-vehicle fatal crash risk nearly in half, has been required on new vehicles since the 2012 model year. It helps a driver maintain control on curves and slippery roads. All listed vehicles have the feature standard, according to IIHS.<\/p>\n

IIHS also advises that high horsepower and young drivers don’t mix. Teens may be tempted to test the limits of a powerful engine. Stick with the base engine.<\/p>\n

Beyond those basics, parents should seek out a vehicle with the highest crash test ratings they can afford.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where Does the Glass Industry Come In?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In many crashes, the windshield<\/a> is damaged. Does it stay intact and help keep occupants in the vehicle? This glass plays an important structural role in your car<\/a><\/u>, especially in the event of a vehicle rollover.<\/p>\n

\"crash-test\"<\/p>\n

Glass.com\u00ae operations manager, Daniel Snow<\/u><\/a>, and Glass.com blogger, Jenna Reed, recently accompanied The Auto Glass Safety Council<\/u><\/a>\u00a0on a tour of the IIHS\u2019 Virginia facility<\/a> to discuss the importance of windshields with IIHS officials and see some of the testings in person. It\u2019s clear that IIHS works hard to help keep drivers safer on the road.<\/p>\n

\"IIHS-testing-center
Glass.com operations manager Daniel Snow and Glass.com blogger Jenna Reed tour the IIHS testing center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Check back with Glass.com often for more great glass related information and use us at a resource for finding replacement glass for your next project.<\/u><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How Does the IIHS Help Keep You Safe?   Supported by insurers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, otherwise known as IIHS, is a nonprofit organization that studies ways to make vehicles safer. More specifically, its mission is to reduce the losses caused by car crashes, including deaths, injuries and property damage. The IIHS works […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":503,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,1352],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}