auto industry

Published on: March 6, 2015

The Safest and Most Dangerous Automobiles

Auto accident fatality rates are at their lowest levels in decades, and the average Atlanta motorist now has a much higher likelihood of walking away relatively unharmed from an accident, compared to the past. However, motorists in some cars remain at a much higher risk of dying in accidents, compared to motorists in other cars.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently confirmed that improved auto design has contributed significantly to the reduction in traffic accident fatalities in the United States over the past decade. In fact, according to IIHS, the chances of a fatality occurring in an accident involving late model automobiles dropped by more than one- third over the past decade.

The good news is that if you are driving a newer automobile that comes with advanced safety features, your chances of surviving an accident are extremely high. However, the bad news is that there is a wide gap between fatality rates involving newer automobiles and the most dangerous automobiles. According to the data, among model year 2011 model automobiles, nine vehicles had a fatality rate of zero. In the other list, there are at least three cars that have fatality rates that are higher than 100 per million registered vehicle years.

Published on: August 5, 2010

New Standards Will Make Cars Safer

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

In a move that is sure to increase auto safety for Americans, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that it will soon launch its new auto testing and rating program.Several 2011 models will be tested using these tougher testing standards. The agency will begin testing about 55 models, including some American favorites like the Honda Odyssey, the Ford Fusion and Taurus, and the Chevrolet Cruze.

Under the new testing system, cars will be tested against each other, and not against a standard performance bar.In the old system, far too many cars were able to meet the standards, and obtain a five-star rating.In the new system, vehicles will have to compete with each other to get the five-star rating, and there will be far fewer vehicles that actually meet the new standards.Several cars that currently enjoy a five-star rating could find their rating drop to a two-star one, once the testing program is implemented.

The new testing program will include a pole test and a female crash test dummy in the front passenger seat.The tests will result in a single overall safety score.For the first time, the rating will also contain information about any additional safety features the car contains, like lane departure systems and forward collision warning systems.With this rating system, consumers will find it easier to buy cars that not only prevent accidents, but also protect them in the event of an accident.

Published on: May 4, 2010

Legislation Proposed to Prevent NHTSA Staff from Becoming Auto Company Lobbyists

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

It’s the kind of golden nexus that has had federal regulators and Atlanta personal injury lawyers very concerned. The trend of employees at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration leaving their jobs to take up cushy positions at prominent auto makers like Toyota, has been popular for a while now. After leaving their positions, these former NHTSA employees would then enjoy a cozy relationship with their former coworkers at the agency.

It has not been confirmed if this kind of relationship impacts auto safety. According to the Department of Transportation, there is no evidence to show that there was an unhealthy relationship between Toyota lobbyists who were former NHTSA officials, and the agency that they used to work for. However that hasn’t convinced some legislators. Sen. Barbara Boxer is working on an auto safety bill that would prohibit ex-NHTSA employees from working as lobbyists or in any other position that would require them to be in contact with their former employer. This restriction would be in place for a period of at least three years after the person quit his job at the NHTSA.

The Toyota crisis has also led to other lawmakers putting on their thinking caps and devising new legislation to keep American motorists safe. One such bill would require automakers to install anti-runaway technology in their vehicles. These technologies will include the override systems that are currently in place in several vehicles, and stop-start technologies. The bill is being drafted by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Rep Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.