CRASH TESTING

IIHS Crash Testing and Your Insurance Premiums

May 10, 2019 by admin

Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conduct crash tests to determine specific vehicle model safety. Both sources should be considered by consumers when purchasing a new or late-model used vehicle. When it comes to setting auto insurance rates, it is the IIHS testing that the insurance companies use to determine your insurance premiums.

About the IIHS

The IIHS is wholly funded by numerous insurance companies ranging from smaller companies such as the Rockingham Group, Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company and Grange Insurance to such household names as GEICO, State Farm and Allstate. Additional funding is provided by several insurance funding associations.

Founded in 1959, the IIHS is an independent, nonprofit educational and scientific organization whose mission is to reduce insurance losses from crashes on America’s roads. The IIHS opened its Vehicle Research Center in Virginia in 1992 where it conducts front, rear and side tests on vehicles and assigns a rating. The institute uses crash test dummies and sled labs for vehicle testing, and also tests child booster seats. Yes, the test scores can affect your insurance premiums (more about this later), but not your uninsured motorist claim.

Five IIHS Crash Tests

Since the IIHS began testing vehicles in 1992 it has modified and expanded its crash testing to encompass additional areas of the car. Its earlier tests measured moderate overlap front crashes as well as rear crash protection to assign a head restraint rating. Side-impact and roof strength tests were added later; a small overlap front test was added in 2012.

The IIHS’ moderate overlap frontal test has a vehicle traveling at 40 mph toward a barrier. The barrier face, of aluminum honeycomb construction, measures approximately two feet tall. Behind the wheel sits a crash test dummy, one that is equal in size to the average male driver. This test has 40 percent of the total width of the vehicle hitting the barrier on the driver’s side. It then measures the impact of the crash on the vehicle as well as on the driver.

The small overlap frontal test also has the vehicle traveling at 40 mph, with 25 percent of the vehicle required to hit a 5-foot rigid barrier, similar to a vehicle hitting a fixed object such as a telephone pole. The same sized crash test dummy used in the first test is used here with the IIHS paying especially close attention to how vehicle restraint systems such as airbags and the vehicle’s safety cage protect the driver.

A side test has been used by the IIHS since 2003, one that employs a moving barrier that weighs 3,300 pounds and corresponds to the weight of a small SUV hitting the driver’s side of the vehicle. Crash test dummies similar in size to an average sized female driver as well as a child sitting in the rear seat behind the driver are used. The IIHS also conducts a roof strength test that employs a metal spike that is pushed into one side of the top of the vehicle and is required to bear a force that is four times the vehicle’s weight before reaching five inches of crush to achieve a good rating. This test mimics what a vehicle might experience in a rollover accident, something that takes the lives of thousands of people annually.

Since 1995, the IIHS has been conducting rear crash testing with an eye toward measuring the impact of front seat vehicle restraints, particularly headrests. Whiplash injuries can be minimized with improved head protection, with this test approximating a rear end collision corresponding to a 20 mph crash against a stationary vehicle.

Assigning Ratings to Evaluated Vehicles

Car manufacturers strive to meet the highest crash test ratings offered by the IIHS. It is a two-tier rating system that gives vehicles either a “top safety pick” or “top safety pick+” rating, the latter assigned to vehicles that have completed the moderate overlap front test.

To achieve a top safety pick+ rating, vehicles must have received good ratings in four of the five tests and no less than an acceptable in the fifth test. A top safety pick designation is assigned to vehicles that receive good ratings in a rollover, rear, side, and moderate overlap front tests.

Four grades are assigned with each test: good, acceptable, marginal and poor. The IIHS maintains scoring for vehicles from its earliest test years and posts that information to its website.

Ratings and Your Insurance Premium

Your chances of being injured in an accident are far greater in a lighter vehicle. And that is why the IIHS advises consumers to “pass up very small, light vehicles” in its Shopping for a Safer Car brochure. Choosing vehicles that rank higher by the IIHS will result in lower insurance premiums. You can save additional money by opting for a higher deductible, bundling your home and car insurance policies, and searching for discounts.

Vehicle safety testing helps insurers and consumers alike. Insurers assign risk based on a number of factors including your vehicle’s crashworthiness. Save money on insurance and improve your chances of surviving an accident by buying a vehicle that has a top safety rating.

Quick Stop: IIHS Begins Rating Rear Crash Prevention Systems

February 23, 2018 by admin 1 Comment

Lets’ face it: rearview cameras may have helped you avoid a catastrophe, perhaps just missing the child hidden behind your vehicle or enabling you to spot a vehicle zipping by as you back out. Quick intervention on your part saved the day, but it may not always be enough to mitigate every future accident. Soon, saving the day may require electronic intervention, something few vehicles currently include, but more will likely offer in the coming years. Indeed, rear crash prevention systems go one step further by hitting the brakes if you don’t heed warnings.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — representing a consortium of auto insurance companies and other stakeholders — routinely tests most new vehicles, assigning each with a score based on crashworthiness and other factors. Such factors include front crash prevention and lighting systems, what can help prevent accidents in the first place. Thus, you can now add rear crash prevention to the mix, specifically rear autobrake systems, as the IIHS has begun testing them.

IIHS rear crash prevention ratings

Rear Crash Avoidance Technologies

Several technologies comprise rear crash prevention systems, including parking sensors to warn drivers when a vehicle or object is too close to the car. Further, these technologies include rear cross-traffic alert, using sensors to detect a moving object, such as another vehicle crossing your path as you back up. The third technology is rear automatic emergency braking, what automatically stops your vehicle if you don’t react fast enough.

“Let’s face it. Some days we all could use help backing up, whether that’s in a garage with pillars that obscure your view, in a crowded mall parking lot or on a busy downtown street,” says David Zuby, the Institute’s executive vice president and chief research officer. “The systems we rate in our first batch of tests will help reduce the chances of a backing fender-bender.”

Six 2017 model year vehicles with rear autobrake systems were tested by IIHS engineers to determine how they functioned when put through the paces. Those vehicles were the BMW 5 series sedan, Cadillac XT5 SUV, Infiniti QX60 SUV, Jeep Cherokee SUV, Subaru Outback wagon and the Toyota Prius hatchback.

Scoring the Players

For this test the Institute developed a three-tier rating codification, assigning scores of superior, advanced or basic. The rating formulation measures how well rear autobrake-equipped vehicles respond with a succession of car-to-car and car-to-pole tests, employing different approach angles. Additional factors included parking sensor and rear cross-traffic alert availability.

Two vehicles received the Institute’s top score: the Subaru Outback and Cadillac XT5. Both models had the optional rear autobrake, parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Jeep Cherokee, BMW 5 Series, Infiniti QX60 and the Toyota Prius earned an advanced rating with this available equipment.

So, how does the IIHS assign a rating? Specifically, the ratings evaluate the rear crash prevention systems’ ability to prevent damage in low-speed crashes, not their ability to mitigate injuries in crashes.

IIHS and Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) research has determined that the technology works, reducing the number of such crashes reported to police by 78 percent — citing a General Motors’ study. Indeed, in August 2017 the HLDI reported that rear autobrake systems from GM and Subaru reduce the number of crashes reported to insurers. Certainly, cars equipped with such systems will also cost less to insure.

Rear Autobrake Systems

The Institute skews its new rating program toward rear autobrake systems as these do the best job in preventing accidents. The other two systems get partial credit, but scoring is clearly weighted to systems that actively prevent an accident.

To obtain a superior rating, vehicles outfitted with a rear autobrake system must avoid a crash or at least substantially reduce its speed in many of the test scenarios, involving multiple runs at about 4 mph. Points are assigned based on the number of runs that either avoid or barely hit the target by reducing speeds to under 1 mph. To achieve an advanced rating, vehicles must have autobrake and avoid an accident or reduce its speed in at least in some of the scenarios. A basic rating is assigned to vehicles without autobrake, but still equipped with parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert.

The IIHS also tested vehicles to determine how much damage they sustained without autobrake active. The Cadillac XT5 backed into a pole, sustaining $3,477 in damage. The Subaru Outback backed into a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, the estimated damage to both vehicles came to $1,899 —$1,159 for the Outback and $740 for the Cruze.

No Impact Yet on Crash Test Ratings

With another test part of the IIHS equation, the Institute hasn’t said how or whether such systems and ratings will impact its overall ratings. Right now, automakers vie for two coveted ratings — Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ — the latter made more difficult to obtain in recent years as the IIHS raises it grading criteria.

Lincoln Continental, Mercedes-Benz E-Class & Toyota Avalon Pace Large Car Crash Safety Testing

July 7, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

The IIHS tests six large sedans. Three earn the institute’s highest safety grade.

2017 Lincoln Continental — Lincoln’s flagship Continental achieved the IIHS’ highest
safety rating in its first year back on the market.

The larger the vehicle the safer it is, right? Certainly, mass plays a significant role in making vehicles safer, an inescapable truth that safety cages, side-impact airbags, and rollover mitigation cannot overcome alone. Your safety, however, is also in your hands with defensive and distraction-free driving among the important factors for reducing crashes in the first place.

Six large sedans were recently tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an organization funded by insurance companies and related associations. Like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the IIHS routinely tests new vehicles for crashworthiness. However, IIHS testing is much more expansive, as it includes categories such as head restraints and headlight efficacy.

IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Winners

Three sedans notched the institute’s Top Safety Pick+ award, its highest honor. The Lincoln Continental, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Toyota Avalon finished on top. The Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Impala, and Ford Taurus missed the mark as each received only “acceptable” scores in small overlap front tests.

The IIHS assigns grades of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor in five crashworthiness categories: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints & seats. The same grading exists in the crash avoidance & mitigation category covering front crash prevention and headlights, each with optional equipment. A grade is also assigned to child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use.

“This group of large cars includes some with stellar ratings, but our small overlap front test remains a hurdle for some vehicles,” says David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer.

The Toyota Avalon joins two other large sedans in garnering a Top Safety Pick+ award.

The IIHS noted that the Lincoln Continental outfitted with an optional front crash prevention system earns a superior rating. Specifically, the 2017 Continental avoided a collision on IIHS’ test track in Virginia when traveling at speeds of 12 mph and 25 mph. The institute noted that the Continental’s forward collision warning system meets the NHTSA’s criteria.

The Continental also achieved top ratings for its optional LED projector headlights, available on the Reserve grade. The institute measures headlamp effectiveness on both straightaways and curves. On the other hand, Continentals outfitted with the standard high-intensity discharge (HID) lights earned a poor rating.

Like the Continental, the 2017 E-Class is all new. This model offers a standard front crash prevention system and an optional one — both achieved top grades in IIHS testing. Toyota’s Avalon rounded out the trio of top-performing models, achieving the award following modifications to its headlights in cars built after March 2017.

The Next Three: Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Impala & Ford Taurus

Finishing behind the trio of top safety recipient winners were the Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Impala, and the Ford Taurus.

Like the Avalon, the Tesla Model S underwent mid-model year safety upgrades, in this case to the driver’s safety belt. Unfortunately, the change wasn’t sufficient as the test dummy’s torso moved too far forward as before, allowing the dummy’s head to strike the steering wheel.

The Chevrolet Impala performed well in crash testing, but all available headlight options earned a poor rating. The Impala scored high with its front crash prevention system, however. As for the Taurus, this model also rated poor for its available headlights. Although the forward collision warning system meets the NHTSA’s criteria, it lacks automatic braking.

2015 Dodge Charger — Not all large sedans were tested, including this Dodge Charger.

Your Next Car

Auto Trends recommends car shoppers take safety ratings into consideration when shopping for a vehicle. Indeed, when evaluating any model, we rely on both IIHS and NHTSA scoring to round out our personal findings.

Of the six models tested by the IIHS, just three have passed through the Auto Trends press fleet rotation: the Lincoln Continental, Toyota Avalon, and the Chevrolet Impala.

IIHS Top Safety Pick+ — The Current Qualifiers

April 30, 2014 by admin 2 Comments

— This list is current as of May 7, 2014 —

Crash test performance is important to consumers, providing a way for them to compare the safety performance of various models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts crash tests for many of the vehicles you might consider and assigns these models with a rating.

Top Safety Pick+ Ratings

The highest ratings offered are Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+, the latter qualifier added in 2013. To achieve its now top rating a vehicle must meet two criteria:

1. Meet the top safety pick vehicle requirements, including earning “good ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests, as well as a good or acceptable rating in the small overlap front test.”

2. Earn a “basic, advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.”

Vehicles that meet the advanced both criteria are assigned a Top Safety Pick+ rating.

As of April 2014, very few models have achieved the IIHS’ top rating. By category, the following vehicles qualify with some exceptions noted.

Minicars

No winners.

Top Safety Pick+: 2014 Toyota Prius (select models).

Top Safety Pick+ — 2014 Toyota Prius (select models).

Small cars

2014 Honda Civic 4-door — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Mazda 3 — applies only to optional front crash prevention models and to vehicles built after October 2013; hatchback and sedan body styles included.

2014 Toyota Prius — applies only to optional front crash prevention models. Applies only to vehicles built after November 2013.

Midsize Moderately Priced Cars

2014 Chevrolet Malibu — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Ford Fusion — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Honda Accord 2-door — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Honda Accord 4-door — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Mazda 6 — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Subaru Legacy — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Subaru Outback — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

Top Safety Pick+ -- 2014 Ford Fusion (select models).

Top Safety Pick+ — 2014 Ford Fusion (select models).

Midsize Luxury/Near Luxury Cars

2015 Audi A3 — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Infiniti Q50 — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Lincoln MKZ — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Volvo S60 — all models.

Large Luxury Cars

2014 Acura RLX — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2015 Hyundai Genesis — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Volvo S80 — all models.

Small SUVs

2014 Mazda CX-5 — applies only to optional front crash prevention models. Applies only to vehicles built after October 2013.

2014 Mitsubishi Outlander — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Nissan Rogue — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Subaru Forester — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

Top Safety Pick+ -- 2014 Subaru Forester (select models).

Top Safety Pick+ — 2014 Subaru Forester (select models).

Midsize SUVs

2014 Chevrolet Equinox — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 GMC Terrain — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Toyota Highlander — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

Midsize Luxury SUVs

2014 Acura MDX — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

2014 Mercedes M Class — applies only to vehicles built after August 2013.

2014 Volvo XC60 — all models.

Top Safety Pick+ -- 2014 Toyota Highlander (select models).

Top Safety Pick+ — 2014 Toyota Highlander (select models).

Minivans

2014 Honda Odyssey — applies only to optional front crash prevention models.

Safety Rating Considerations

Achieving a Top Safety Pick+ rating should result in lower auto insurance costs for consumers. The time to check what your rate will be should be done before you make your purchase. Insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars annually between like models.

You should also know that the ratings are assigned with the vehicle category in mind. That simply means larger and heavier vehicles provide better protection than smaller and lighter models across the board.

Please note that as of April 2014 Auto Trends now includes IIHS safety ratings with the vehicle specifications for every new car review posted to this site.

Pet Safety: Subaru Goes for the Dogs

October 7, 2013 by admin 2 Comments

Subaru and the Center for Pet Safety (CPS) have your pet in mind, especially dogs that ride in cars outfitted with pet restraints. Late last week, Subaru and the CPS announced the results of a collaborative study undertaken to study pet harnesses, particularly those where manufacturers make safety claims.

Pet Safety Harness

The study results have shown that many pet car safety restraints are unsafe, falling to protect canine riders during an accident. CPS designed the pet harness study to reflect the same testing used to measure the performance of child safety seats. Unlike child safety restraints, there are no test protocols or performance standards to measure pet travel products. CPS along with Subaru have shown concern about the claims some manufacturers make, the latter especially significant as nearly half of Subaru owners are also pet owners and may bring their pets on the road with them.

Stated Michael McHale, director of communications at Subaru of America, Inc., “Safety for all passengers, including our pets, is very important to Subaru and to our drivers. Selecting the wrong harness could be just as detrimental as not using one at all. McHale also noted that most pet owners do not understand the importance of harnessing their pets while in the car.”

NHTSA Safety Standards

CPS and Subaru tapped MGA Research Corporation to conduct the laboratory testing. MGA is an independent National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) lab, and developed a test that parallels what real dogs would suffer during a crash. The crash test dogs were similar in size and shape to real pets, and included a 25 pound terrier mix, a 45 pound border collie, and a 75 pound golden retriever. The dogs were designed to appear as lifelike as possible, although the accompanying photo demonstrates that a “dummy” was used for each test.

Many owners consider their pets to be part of their family, a sentiment shared by Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO for the Center for Pet Safety. Wolko said that CPS’ mission is “to communicate to pet owners that an effective harness should keep the pet in place to prevent distraction to the driver as well as offer measurable levels of protection to all passengers in the event of a crash.”

Sleepypod Clickit Utility Harness

Finishing on top of the test results was Sleepypod’s Clickit Utility Harness. It proved to be the lone harness to hold the dog on the seat, providing comprehensive protection for the pet and all passengers in an accident. An unrestrained pet can fly off of the seat and hit other passengers and the driver. Serious injury to man and beast alike would occur as the dog hits various structures inside of the cabin or crashes through the window to his likely death.

Michael Leung, Sleepypod co-founder and product designer, was clearly pleased by the results of the test noting that the company has been researching and crash testing pet safety restraints for six years. Said Leung, “We admire CPS and Subaru for conducting this study on behalf of pet owners and use the CPS testing protocols as an extension of our own safety program.” More information about Sleepypod is available on the company’s website.

As a result of Sleepypod’s exemplary performance, Subaru has promised to begin making these harnesses available through its dealers and via its Subaru Gear catalog.

Product Improvements Underway

Every company that had its product crash tested was invited to attend the product testing. Those that were not present were forwarded the results and several have already begun work on improving their products. A downloadable copy of the report is available on the Center for Pet Safety website.

CPS stresses that it has no ties with the pet product industry. The nonprofit organization makes use of scientific testing and references Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Those standards enable the CPS to study pet products and then establish both the criteria and test protocols for measuring pet safety products and the claims made by the manufacturers.

Photo courtesy of the Center for Pet Safety.