Analysis shows marked decline in likelihood of crashing, increased likelihood of escaping a crash without injuries in comparison of Model Year 2008 to MY 2000 cars
- WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced that better-designed, safer vehicles have contributed to an overall decline in crashes, deaths and injuries on U.S. roadways. In a new report issued today, the agency's analysis of police-reported crash data estimates that design improvements between Model Year 2000 and Model Year 2008 cars helped save 2,000 lives and prevented one million occupant injuries in the 2008 calendar year alone.
- "Between better safety practices developed at the Department of Transportation and improved designs by automakers, we are making real progress protecting drivers and passengers nationwide," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We celebrate the historic decline in deaths and injuries on our roads as we remain laser-focused on continuing to improve safety."
- "We expect this trend to continue as automakers add advanced safety features to their fleets and continue to improve vehicle designs to earn top safety ratings under our newly updated 5-Star crash-test program," said David Strickland, NHTSA Administrator. "Safer cars, along with safer drivers and roads, are key components in ensuring the annual number of traffic fatalities remains on a downward trajectory."
- The full NHTSA report:"An Analysis of Recent Improvements to Vehicle Safety
Also 2011 NHTSA Early Estimate of Traffic Fatalities Record Low!