January 20, 2004
While efforts to improve the crashworthiness of cars and trucks have saved thousands of lives, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is shifting its focus to new technologies that can help drivers avoid accidents, the agency's head told carmakers.
"We are reaching the point of diminishing returns from efforts on crashworthiness," Dr. Jeffrey Runge told the Automotive News World Congress. But big gains lie ahead as crash avoidance technologies are deployed, he said.
Some of those technologies, such as lane departure warning and brake assist, are already reaching the market, though they're mostly confined to luxury models, Runge said.
Runge was less critical of SUVs than he was last year, when he shocked the automakers by saying he didn't want his family riding in an SUV. Now, Runge says, SUVs are becoming lower and wider, thus reducing chance of a rollover. He noted that 10 SUVs have four-star safety ratings from NHTSA, compared to just one four years ago.
"I'm delighted to see the proliferation of electronic stability control, particularly in SUVs," Runge said. "It's an expensive decision, but if the numbers hold true the benefits will outweigh the costs."
Crashworthiness Study
As the focus shifts to accident avoidance, NHTSA is trumpeting its claim that nearly 329,000 lives have been saved by crashworthiness requirements since 1960.
A new NHTSA study indicates that of all the safety features added since 1960, one safety belts accounts for over half of all lives saved, said Runge's boss, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. The study also says government-mandated safety standards have added about $839 in costs and 125 pounds to the average passenger car when compared to pre-1968 vehicles.
"The Department has worked diligently to reduce highway deaths", Mineta said. "Thousands of our friends, neighbors and family members are alive today because of these safety innovations."
According to the study, the number of lives saved annually increased steadily from 115 per year in 1960 to nearly 25,000 per year in 2002.
The study examined a myriad of safety features, including braking improvements, safety belts, air bags, energy-absorbing steering columns, child safety seats, improved roof strength and side impact protection, shatter-resistant windshields and instrument panel upgrades. It did not evaluate relatively new technologies like side air bags and electronic stability control systems.
Assessing the costs, NHTSA estimated that safety technologies cost about $544,000 for every life saved. They added about the same cost to a new vehicle as popular options like CD players, sun roofs, leather seats or custom wheels.
Fatality Rate
The U.S. fatality rate dropped to 1.48 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2003, down from 1.51 the year before. Runge said his goal is to lower that statistic to one death per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by 2008. The goal is achievable, Runge said.
While the death rate for cars and trucks is about 1.2 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, the rate for motorcycles in 2003 was a stunning 38 per 100 million miles traveled -- more than 30 times greater than for cars and trucks.
In his speech, Runge expressed dismay at the number of older Americans who are taking up motorcycling.
"Riding a motorcycle requires judgment, coordination and balance," Runge said. "Those are not the things you can learn at 45 to 50 years old, which is when many people are buying motorcycles."
