IIHS and HLDI News

Joyce is elected IIHS board chairman
ARLINGTON, VA — The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is pleased to announce the election of Douglas S. Joyce as the new chairman of its Board of Directors. Joyce is president of Alfa Alliance Insurance Corporation. He succeeds Steven George, chief operations officer, AAA of Northern California, Nevada, and Utah, who served as IIHS chairman during 2011 and will continue to serve as a Board member.

Nutting is elected HLDI board chairman
ARLINGTON, VA — The Highway Loss Data Institute is pleased to announce the election of James Nutting as the new chairman of its Board of Directors. Nutting is senior vice president and chief actuary, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. He succeeds Martin Deede, vice president – actuarial, MetLife Auto and Home, who served as HLDI chairman in 2011 and will continue to serve as a Board member.

Status Report: Vol. 47, No. 1
New safety features take 3 decades on average to spread through the vehicle fleet, a HLDI report saysBumper demonstration test shows easy way to solve mismatch problem when SUVs and cars collideFinal hours-of-service rule still allows truck drivers to spend up to 11 hours a day at the wheel

Not so fast: Safety features spread slowly through fleet
New technologies could cut crashes dramatically, but don't count on them being everywhere tomorrow. A study by the Highway Loss Data Institute shows it takes about three decades for safety features to spread through the registered vehicle fleet. Status Report Vol. 47, No. 1 cover article

Teen drivers: New Jersey decal law aids enforcement but not compliance with graduated licensing rules
A New Jersey law intended to help police enforce graduated licensing restrictions by requiring young drivers to display special decals is unpopular, widely flouted, and hasn't led to better compliance with the restrictions, an Institute study has found. Status Report article: Vol. 46, No. 11, p. 4

115 winners of 2012 Top Safety Pick Stronger roofs lead to another record year for award
ARLINGTON, VA — The list of winners of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award is longer than ever this year, with vehicles in nearly every size category the Institute evaluates earning accolades. From minicars to sedans to pickups, consumers have a record number of choices among 2012 models.

Status Report: Vol. 46, No. 11
TOP SAFETY PICK award goes to a record number of models for 2012 as automakers make changes to winWinners by vehicle classN.J. teen driver decal law is unpopular and hasn't raised teens' compliance with GDL restrictionsCrashes and near crashes are more common in the first 6 months after 16 year-olds begin driving

Status Report: Vol. 46, No. 10
Hybrids' injury odds are lower than their gasoline-powered twins due to their heavier weightPedestrian injury claims are 20 percent higher for hybrid models than for standard modelsTeenagers' crash risk gets worse when they ride motorcycles or drive sports carsAlcohol-detection device project is now in development phase

Hybrid models have lower injury odds than their conventional counterparts
ARLINGTON, VA — Hybrids have a safety edge over their conventional twins when it comes to shielding their occupants from injuries in crashes, new research by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, shows. On average, the odds of being injured in a crash are 25 percent lower for people in hybrids than people traveling in nonhybrid models.

New brochure on motorcycle antilock brakes provides key safety information for riders
ARLINGTON, VA — Riding a motorcycle is safer when the bike is equipped with antilock brakes, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety explains in a new consumer brochure.

Pennsylvania joins 34 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers
Pennsylvania joins 34 other states in banning text messaging by all drivers, effective March 8, 2012. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.

Five minivans earn Top Safety Pick award; 2 others lag behind on rollover protection
ARLINGTON, VA — Five minivan models have earned the 2011 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, standing out from competitors for superior protection in rollover crashes.

Pennsylvania expands GDL
Pennsylvania has increased the number of supervised driving hours from 50 to 65 and added a nighttime and inclement weather practice requirement. Additionally, for the first 6 months, intermediate license holders may drive with no more than one passenger younger than 18; thereafter, no more than three. Changes take effect December 24, 2011. For details on graduated driver licensing laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/graduatedLicenseIntro.aspx.

Pennsylvania makes restraint laws primary for all children
Pennsylvania has eliminated the secondary enforcement provision for children ages 4 through 17, meaning that an officer can stop a vehicle solely for noncompliance of the restraint laws, effective December 24, 2011. For details on child restraint laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/childrestraint.aspx.

Status Report: Vol. 46, No. 9
More boosters are doing a good job of fitting safety belts to kids in the latest round of seat evaluationsUnique inflatable booster seat earns a BEST BET designationStrong child restraint laws help to reduce crash injuries and lift use of boosters and child restraintsOnboard recorder rule struck down by federal appeals court

New booster evaluations: More top-rated seats help parents make a safe choice for their kids
ARLINGTON, VA — A good fit is easier than ever to find when shopping for a booster seat, new ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show.

California expands booster seat law
California has expanded its booster seat law to cover all children 7 years and younger who are less than 57 inches, effective January 1, 2012. Previously, the law covered children 5 years and younger or less than 60 pounds. For details on child restraint laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/childrestraint.aspx.

Maryland strengthens ignition interlock law
Maryland mandates ignition interlocks for high-BAC and repeat offenders, effective October 1, 2011. For details on ignition interlock laws in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/dui.aspx.

Nevada issues warnings for texting and hand-held phone use
Law enforcement in Nevada can issue warnings for violations of the hand-held phone or texting ban beginning October 1, 2011. Violators could be fined up to $100 for a first offense beginning January 1, 2012. For details on cellphone and texting bans in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx.

Maine raises speed limits on I-95
Maine will raise speed limits on the portion of I-95 between Old Town and Houlton from 65 mph to 75 mph, with signs to be unveiled October 4, 2011. To compare speed limits in all states, go to http://www.iihs.org/laws/speedlimits.aspx.