Head Protection for Side Crashes in 2013 Vehicle Models Required
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that for 2013 model-year vehicles, head protection for side crashes will be required.
The safety upgrades are designed to reduce deaths and injuries to motorists struck by another or truck along their vehicle’s side. More than 300 lives may be saved and more than 400 serious injuries a year may be prevented through the installation of side air bags that protect the torso and side-curtain air bags that guard the head.
Side-impact crashes killed 9,200 people in 2005, the most recent figures available, or about 29% of motorists killed in passenger vehicles.
The auto industry has voluntarily agreed to install side air bags in all new passenger vehicles by September 2009. The safety equipment, including air bags that provide more protection in rollover crashes, is becoming more widely available.
"Safety is the industry's No. 1 priority," said Dave McCurdy, president and chief executive of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and others.
Automakers under the government’s plan will be required to phase in the head protection in 20% of passenger vehicles in the 2010 model year, 50% by the 2011 model year, 75% in 2012 vehicles and in all passenger vehicles for 2013 models. All new passenger vehicles will need to comply by September 2012.
The benefits of side air bags are applauded by safety and consumer groups. In a study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2006, it was found that driver deaths were reduced by 52% in sport-utility vehicles equipped with head-protecting side air bags and by 37% in passenger cars.
Published on September 6, 2007
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