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Tougher Side Impact Crash Standards Could Save 700 to 1,000 Lives Every Year

The Cost of Less Expensive Cars Would No Doubt Go Up with Mandatory Side-Impact Airbags

Just how auto manufacturers can manage to stay profitable in todays market is anyones guess. With 267 models available in the U.S., the competition for the latest and greatest designs and features is fierce. Add to that the need to satisfy government mandated fuel consumption, emissions and safety standards and its no wonder automaker CEOs rightly earn some of the highest wages in the country.

Of course, the end result are the most efficient and safest new cars, light trucks and sport utility

Even with all the challenges automakers face just trying to remain profitable, all are currently producing the most efficient and safest cars to date. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

vehicles to ever roll on four wheels, not only benefiting driver and passengers but even taking into consideration potential pedestrian injuries.

The latest proposal by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), however, is designed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to increase tolerances for side impact crash standards. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

to protect those inside the vehicle. The organization wants to increase tolerances for side impact crash standards in an attempt to save what it considers an estimated 700 to 1,000 lives per year, while preventing many more injuries, particularly caused to the head.

"This change in the way new vehicles are tested would take our safety program to a new level and have a dramatic, positive effect on traffic-related fatalities,"

The additional expense spent on increasing side-impact safety will no doubt be passed on to consumers. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

commented U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta.

According to estimations by the NHTSA, nearly 60 percent of those killed in serious side-impact crashes which involve at least one fatality die from brain related injuries.

"We expect that this rigorous requirement will spur the introduction of a comprehensive array of technologies for side-impact protection," stated NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D. "The proposal represents a major step toward safer vehicles."

While lives

All occupants of new vehicles will be given premium protection in side crashes for the first time if the NHTSAs proposal goes through. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

would be saved, the flip side would be additional expense added to each new vehicle made, which would no doubt be passed on to the end consumer. Manufacturers would be forced to provide head protection at all outside seating positions, normally only featured on high-end vehicles, as standard equipment. Therefore less expensive cars would have to bear the additional cost increase, which compared as a percentage to the overall sale price could be dramatic.

The NHTSA proposal would, however, make certain all occupants of new vehicles were given premium protection in side crashes for the first time. Side airbags would also enhance thorax and pelvis protection, reducing medical expenses.

The new NHTSA test would invole a 20-mph impact into a rigid pole at an approach angle of 75 degrees. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

There has been no word from insurance companies regarding reducing personal injury rates for owners of cars featuring side-impact airbags, and being that damage to the car and the cost to repair would actually increase due to exploding expensive airbag systems, cuts to insurance rates are unlikely.

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