Latest news with #DavidHarkey
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Poor mental health, police cuts fueled pandemic spike in impaired-driving deaths
An IIHS study about the rise in impaired-driving deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic finds mental health issues as well as cuts to police rosters played a role. ARLINGTON, Va., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A national mental health crisis and reductions in policing may have helped fuel an increase in impaired-driving deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the role of more liberal alcohol policies was unclear, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows. 'These results reinforce the need for a Safe System approach that incorporates multiple measures to combat impaired driving,' IIHS President David Harkey said. 'Sobriety checks and other visible policing efforts can only happen if we have enough officers. We should also boost programs that include treatment for substance abuse and mental health disorders.' In 2019, prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 28% of passenger-vehicle drivers killed in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more, the legal limit in most states. In 2020, as the effects of the pandemic set in, that proportion increased to 30% and remained elevated through 2022. Increases in self-reported depressive episodes and suicide plans and reductions in full-time law enforcement personnel were both associated with rises in impaired-driver deaths, an IIHS analysis of fatal crashes from 2018-22 showed. The effects of changes in alcohol policy were mixed. Allowing home delivery of alcohol from bars and restaurants was associated with more impaired-driver deaths, but allowing those establishments to sell to-go drinks was associated with fewer. At the most basic level, the rise in impaired driving was related to an increase in alcohol consumption, studies conducted by researchers from other organizations have shown. In surveys conducted in May 2020, 60% of U.S. adults reported they had been drinking more with the onset of the pandemic. Sales figures for alcohol also showed a higher volume sold from March 2020 to August 2021 than in the same months in 2017-19. Mental health factors likely contributed to those increases in consumption. During the pandemic, many Americans struggled with the isolation of lockdown, stress related to lack of child care and lost income, anxiety about health risks, and other issues. A one-point increase in the percentage of adults reporting a major depressive episode over the past year and a half-point increase in the percentage who reported making suicide plans were associated with 304 and 322 additional impaired-driver deaths per year, respectively, the researchers found. Meanwhile, there was a reduction in policing around the same time, which may have reduced any hesitation that drinkers had about getting behind the wheel. Concerns about contracting COVID prompted some departments to scale back on traffic stops and other routine work. Various municipalities also reduced police funding after the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, and many departments put less emphasis on proactive enforcement in the months that followed. An average loss of five full-time law enforcement officers per 100,000 residents nationwide over 2018-22 was associated with an annual increase of about 214 more impaired-driver deaths. The new alcohol policies had as large an impact, but the two changes moved the needle in opposite directions. The number of states that allowed bars and restaurants to make home deliveries of alcohol rose from 21 to 37 between January and December of 2020, and the number allowing such establishments to sell alcohol to go increased from 21 states to 45. Home-delivery policies were associated with around 304 additional impaired-driver deaths per year in the states that adopted them. In contrast, for reasons that remain unclear, to-go policies were associated with about 450 fewer deaths per year in states with those rules in place. For the most part, the mental health indicators, police employment levels and alcohol policies showed similar trends in separate analyses of crash deaths of drivers ages 16-20 and in single-vehicle, nighttime crash deaths of drivers of all ages and drivers ages 16-20. However, the effects of all the variables were much smaller for younger drivers. 'It's notable that the effect of the mental health crisis was more pronounced than the reduction in policing, as the mental health dimension of the impaired-driving problem receives comparatively little attention,' said study author Angela Eichelberger, a senior research scientist at IIHS. While there have been efforts to bring a mental-health-oriented approach to impaired driving, they are relatively rare. One example is designated DUI courts. Staffed by prosecutors and judges who specialize in driving-while-intoxicated cases, these special courts have been shown to reduce repeat offenses by incorporating counseling, support groups and mental health programs with intense supervision. The National Treatment Court Resource Center reports that there were 295 DWI courts across the United States as of 2024. For more information, go to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers and safety professionals. IIHS is wholly supported by auto insurers. CONTACT: Joe Young Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 504-641-0491 jyoung@
Forbes
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Blind Zones Block Drivers' Vision In Newer Vehicles, Study Shows
In some newer vehicles, blind zones are getting bigger and blocking drivers' vision. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety The blind zones of six popular passenger vehicles – Chevrolet Suburban, Ford F-150, Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Camry – grew substantially over the past 25 years and resulted in a decrease in forward visibility. Those are the main take-a-ways of a new study that evaluated the role newer vehicle design plays in driver visibility, released on Thursday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) , a nonprofit financed by the insurance industry. The research found that in some newer vehicles, blind zones are getting bigger and blocking drivers' vision. 'The across-the-board decrease in visibility for this small group of models is concerning. We need to investigate whether this is a broader trend that may have contributed to the recent spike in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities,' David Harkey, the Insurance Institute's president, said in a statement. The study to assess how newer vehicle designs can block drivers' vision was conducted by the United States Department of Transportation's Volpe Center using a new technique of measuring a driver's direct area of vision around a vehicle that was developed by the Insurance Institute. The new method uses computational software and a portable camera rig to create a blind zone map and is more efficient than traditional blind zone mapping, the Institute said. Researchers examined and compared how the designs of the six top-selling vehicles changed over model years 1997 to 2023. Visibility reductions were most pronounced for the SUVs. Forward visibility within a 10-meter radius fell as much as 58% for three popular SUVs, according to the study. The most dramatic reduction came for the Honda CR-V, as the vehicle's hood, mirrors and A-pillars all obstructed a greater portion of the driver's view over time. Drivers of the 1997 model were able to see 68% of the area 10 meters in front of the vehicle, while drivers of the 2022 model can see only 28%. For the Honda CR-V (and the 2000 Suburban) the biggest changes in the blind zone were due to a higher hood that blocked more of the frontal plane and larger side mirrors that obscured the views at their front corners. In contrast, the early models of the two cars provided relatively good visibility that fell less than 8% in later generations, researchers said. The visibility reductions for the two cars were less severe. The smallest decrease came for the Accord, which permitted the driver to see 65% of the area 10 meters in front of the vehicle in 2003 and 60% in 2023. For the Camry, visibility decreased from 61% in 2007 to 57% in 2023. 'These results are notable because we already know that the portion of SUVs in the U.S. fleet grew substantially over these years as well,' Becky Mueller, senior research engineer at the Insurance Institute, said in a statement. She led the development of the new mapping technique and is a co-author of the Volpe Center study. 'If further research confirms that these changes reflect a general change, that would suggest that declining visibility in SUVs has compounded the effects of taller, blunt-nosed vehicles that IIHS has already documented,' Mueller added. The results of the study point to a troubling trend during the 25-year period assessed, according to the report, a time when pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities on U.S roads soared. Insurance Institute researchers noted that little is known about what role driver visibility has played in the increase, but they are in the process of conducting additional research to understand how blind zones affect pedestrian crash rates and insurance claims. For more information about the research, click here .
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Insurance group approves first container chassis crash guard
A container chassis designed by Stoughton Trailers has received the first award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for protection against rear underride crashes. A rear underride guard is a metal frame attached to the back of a semitrailer to prevent passenger cars from sliding beneath the trailer in the event of a rear-end crash. Underride guards that meet IIHS's safety criteria are more likely than others to withstand an impact, reducing the severity of the crash. Wisconsin-based Stoughton had previously earned the award for its dry vans and refrigerated vans. Now the company's 53-foot intermodal chassis – which carry shipping containers directly transferred from ships or railcars – also meets IIHS's 'Toughguard' criteria, the insurance group announced on Thursday. 'We're excited about the commitment that Stoughton has shown to preventing underride crashes,' said IIHS President David Harkey in a statement. 'Improving the safety of commercial vehicles is a key part of our 30×30 strategy, which targets a 30% reduction in road fatalities by 2030.' IIHS pointed out that in 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration updated federal regulations governing rear underride protection on large trucks. However, 'the new rule remains far less stringent than the Toughguard requirements and is not expected to push manufacturers to improve,' IIHS contends. Stoughton was among the earliest trailer manufacturers to earn the group's Toughguard safety award for its dry vans and refrigerated trailers in 2017. To date, nine North American trailer manufacturers, including the eight largest, have earned the awards. NHTSA side underride analysis slammed by safety, insurance advocates Trump's NHTSA nominee raises concerns among truck safety advocates US chassis makers allege foreign dumping again Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post Insurance group approves first container chassis crash guard appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New trailer type gets strong underride guard
Stoughton extends IIHS-award-winning underride protection to container shipping ARLINGTON, Va., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Stoughton chassis designed for container transport is the first of its kind to qualify for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOUGHGUARD award for superior underride protection. Wisconsin-based Stoughton, a leading manufacturer of semitrailers, previously earned the award for its dry vans and refrigerated vans. Now the company's 53-foot intermodal chassis also meets the TOUGHGUARD criteria. The award applies to models built after April 2025. An intermodal chassis is a special type of trailer that can carry shipping containers directly transferred from ships or railcars. 'We're excited about the commitment that Stoughton has shown to preventing underride crashes,' IIHS President David Harkey said. 'Improving the safety of commercial vehicles is a key part of our 30x30 strategy, which targets a 30% reduction in road fatalities by 2030.' A rear underride guard is a metal frame attached to the back of a semitrailer to prevent lower-riding vehicles from sliding beneath the trailer in the event of a rear-end crash. All rear underride guards must meet federal safety standards. However, IIHS research and crash tests have shown that many can buckle or break off in a crash. Underride guards that meet the TOUGHGUARD criteria are substantially more likely to withstand an impact, reducing the severity of the crash. Until now, only dry van, refrigerated and flatbed trailers have qualified. But with the growing importance of shipping containers in global trade, more and more freight is being transported using intermodal chassis. Chassis-type trailers present a unique challenge when it comes to underride protection. The frame of a dry van, refrigerated or flatbed trailer extends across its entire wheelbase, supporting the underride guard for its full width. In contrast, an intermodal chassis is a ladder-like structure that lies between the trailer's wheels to support the removable container. For that reason, the underride guard required a completely new design. Instead of a vertical support attached to the trailer deck, the chassis guard features long, diagonal supports running from the guard's outboard ends to the chassis rails. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) updated federal regulations governing rear underride protection on large trucks in June 2022. However, the new rule remains far less stringent than the TOUGHGUARD requirements and is not expected to push manufacturers to improve. 'A major weakness of the federal regulation is that in the required test, the underride guard is bolted to a universal testing rig instead of an actual trailer,' IIHS Senior Test Coordinator Sean O'Malley said. 'When we were developing the TOUGHGUARD program, we found that many underride guards that survived testing attached to NHTSA's rig broke off when attached to the trailer they were built to be used on, either because the attachment points on the trailer failed or the bolts did.' In contrast, IIHS evaluates underride guards on the trailers they are designed for. In the IIHS test, a midsize car crashes into the back of the parked trailer at 35 mph in three configurations, hitting the trailer with its full width, a 50% overlap and a 30% overlap. To earn the IIHS award, the guard must prevent underride in all three configurations. The 30% overlap configuration — which was left out of the new federal requirements — is the most challenging, because only the corner of the underride guard must absorb all the force of the impact. Initially, these tests were conducted in-house. Now IIHS allows trailer manufacturers to submit data and footage from tests conducted at their own facilities or by contractors for IIHS experts to review. The tests of Stoughton's intermodal chassis were conducted by Calspan. Stoughton was also among the earliest trailer manufacturers to earn a TOUGHGUARD award for its dry vans and refrigerated trailers in 2017. To date, nine North American trailer manufacturers, including the eight largest, have earned TOUGHGUARD awards. ### For more information, go to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers and safety professionals. IIHS is wholly supported by auto insurers. CONTACT: Joe Young Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 504-641-0491 jyoung@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The 36 safest cars you can buy right now, according to experts
When buying a new vehicle, safety is paramount. But how can you be sure that shiny new car isn't just a hunk of junk? That's where the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) steps in. The group just released its latest annual safety awards for dozens of vehicles, each of which has been tested across a series of tests. Just 48 models qualified for the IIHS' awards as of March 13, down from 71 models last year. Thirty-six of those vehicles won the nonprofit's highest designation — Top Safety Pick+ — while the remaining 12 were named a Top Safety Pick. Most of the selected models were SUVs; just two large pickups and a little more than a handful of small and midsize cars also won awards. That's likely because the IIHS' updated tests emphasize back seat protection, according to the group. 'We're once again challenging automakers to make their new models even safer than those they were building a year ago,' IIHS President David Harkey said in a statement. 'Every vehicle that earns a 2025 award offers a high level of safety in both the front seat and the second row,' he added. These are some of the safest vehicles currently on the market, according to the IIHS' ratings. The Honda (HMC) Civic hatchback, Accord midsize car, and HR-V SUV received the highest designation from the IIHS, the Top Safety Pick+ award. The Accord was only docked points when tested for how well it could detect adult pedestrians at night. It failed to give any warning before hitting a test dummy when being driven at 37 miles per hour, at night, and with low beam headlights on. The Civic hatchback had similar issues, but was also hit for quiet alerts when a seat belt wasn't being used or was disengaged. The HR-V was docked points for headlights that are not curve-adaptive and that create some glare when using low beams, a difficult-to-find child seat tether anchor, and its performance on vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. Two other models, the Civic sedan and Pilot SUV, were given the lesser Top Safety Pick award. Acura's Integra hatchback and MXD luxury SUV were also given those designations. Mazda (MZDAY) went home with the most Top Safety Pick+ awards — eight. One model, the CX-30 SUV, had perfect marks, according to the IIHS. 'Kudos to Mazda for meeting this challenge with eight Top Safety Pick+ winners, the most of any brand,' Harkey, the IIHS president, said in a statement. Six models — the CX-70 SUV and its plug-in hybrid variant, the CX-90 SUV and its plug-in hybrid variant, the 3 sedan, and the 3 hatchback — were dinged for less-than stellar headlights. However, that varied by trim for all but the plug-in hybrid models. The CX-50 SUV also had headlight issues and lost points over front crash prevention exams. When a motorcycle was in front of the CX-50, it failed to provide a timely warning in all but one of the tests. It also failed to deliver a timely warning in one test conducted with a semitrailer. 'Mazda's dedication to keeping our customers and their passengers safe in the pursuit of eliminating traffic fatalities is evidenced in these latest awards from IIHS,' Tom Donnelly, the CEO of Mazda's North America division, said in a statement. Mercedes-Benz's (MBGYY) C-Class midsize car, GLC luxury SUV, and GLE-Class SUV with optional front crash prevention were all named Top Safety Pick+ models. The C-Class model got docked points for its headlights — which had some limitations at lower tiers — and was too slow to react to an adult pedestrian at night. The GLC and GLE SUVs had similar issues reacting to pedestrians, but their headlights performed better than the C-Class'. Toyota's (TM) Camry midsize car and Tundra pickup truck also received Top Safety Pick+ awards. The Camry was docked points for its low beam headlights, which delivered only fair visibility on straight roads, as well as inadequate visibility when curving left, the IIHS said. The high-beams compensate for some of the low beams' limitations, the group added. The Tundra — one of just two pickups included in the IIHS' top rankings — was docked points for how quickly it reduced speed when encountering an adult pedestrian at night, along with difficult-to-find child seat tethers. The IIHS also noted that the low beam headlights included in a few trims created some glare. Genesis (HYMTF) — the luxury division of Hyundai Motor Group, which also owns the Hyundai and Kia name brands — had four SUVs receive Top Safety Pick+ designations. That includes the GV60, GV80, and the electrified GV70. The gasoline-powered GV70 also was recognized, but only for units built after April 2024. The GV60 and GV80 both lost points over backseat tether anchors for child seats that were too deep in the seat, according to the IIHS. Both GV70 variants were docked points for crash prevention systems that failed to provide quick enough warnings for the vehicle to avoid hitting an adult pedestrian at night. Hyundai had five vehicles notch Top Safety Pick+ awards from the IIHS. That includes the electric Ioniq 5 midsize car and Ioniq 6 SUV, Kona SUV, and the Tucson SUV. Santa Fe SUVs built after November 2024 were also given that distinction. The Tucson was docked points for child seat anchors buried too deeply in the rear seats and a forward collision avoidance software that failed to provide a timely warning in most tests. Headlights on some trims were also given a lower score because they aren't curve-adaptive. Likewise, the Ioniq 6, Kona, and Santa Fe lost points because of their headlights and child seat anchors. The Ioniq 5 shared the child seat anchor issues and had glaring low beam headlights on some trims. Forward collision avoidance software equipped to Ioniq 5 SE and SEL models also failed to deliver timely warnings when encountering an adult pedestrian at night. Kia's Telluride SUV and EV9 all-electric SUV both received the IIHS' Top Safety Pick+ award. They both got top marks on the group's tests. 'IIHS Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards reinforce our dedication to building vehicles that not only perform but also provide peace of mind,' Kia America COO Steven Center said in a statement. Subaru's (FUJHY) Solterra all-electric SUV was its only vehicle to be awarded the IIHS's top safety award for 2025. The Solterra, which was co-developed with Toyota (which sells the mostly identical bz4x), is the brand's first electric car. It scored top marks on all of the IIHS's tests. Two other Subaru models, the 2025 Ascent and Forester, were given the Top Safety Pick award. Both lost points for potential injuries to rear passengers during a crash involving two vehicles driving in opposite directions at just under 40 miles per hour. 'It's an honor for Solterra, Ascent and Forester to be recognized by IIHS' new, increasingly rigorous testing for both driver safety and passenger safety,' Jeff Walters, the president and chief operating officer of Subaru of America, said in a statement. Ford's (F) Mustang Mach-E electric SUV, which grew more popular last year, was the Detroit automaker's only vehicle included in the IIHS' rankings, receiving a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The model scored top marks when tested for crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and crash mitigation, but was docked some points for its child seat attachments. The IIHS said that tether anchors could be confused for other hardware. Ford is also being sued over the Mustang Mach-E's electric latches, which replaced the typical door handles most vehicles have. Lincoln, Ford's luxury division, saw its popular Nautilus midsize SUV receive the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. It scored top marks across all categories tested. Audi (VWAGY), the luxury brand owned by Volkswagen Group, won a Top Safety Pick+ award for its Q7 SUV. The model performed well during the IIHS' crashworthiness tests, but had middling results during crash avoidance and mitigation exams. The $77,900 Prestige trim's headlights performed well when tested. However, the headlights used by the $60,500 and $64,300 Premium and Premium Plus trims were found to have glaring low beams and weren't curve-adaptive. The Q7 also failed to deliver a timely warning when it was too close to a motorcycle driving ahead of it. But the IIHS said it did not test the SUV's automatic brakes. It was also docked points for how well it detected an adult pedestrian at night. BMW's X5 midsize luxury SUV was given a Top Safety Pick+, scoring top marks on all but one category tested. The model's low beam headlights created 'some glare,' the IIHS said. Electric truck maker Rivian (RIVN) had two of its models receive awards from the IIHS, the R1T pickup and the R1S SUV. The RIS was given the Top Safety Pick+ designation, achieving top marks in all but one category, according to the IIHS' ratings. The group had an issue with the SUV's headlights, stating that its low beams created 'some glare.' The IIHS also notes that its award only applies to units made after last August. In early 2024, the company retooled its manufacturing process to cut more than 50 parts from the design of its vehicles, 52 pieces from the body shop, and more than 100 steps from the battery-making process, CEO RJ Scaringe told Reuters. The R1T was awarded the Top Safety Pick designation, achieving top scores on all but two categories. Like the R1S, the R1T lost points for its headlights. It also had a poorer score during a crash test. Infiniti's (NSANY) QX80 SUV was named a Top Safety Pick+, while its QX60 luxury SUV was given a Top Safety Pick rating. The QX80 scored top marks on the IIHS' tests. The QX60 also scored highly, but was docked points during a moderate overlap front test. The model scored an 'acceptable,' the second-to-best rating, for potential injuries to a rear passenger during a head-on crash. Volvo Cars (GELYF), the Swedish brand owned by Chinese giant Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, had two cars receive the IIHS' awards, although it only applies to vehicles made before December 2024. The XC90 midsize luxury SUV was given the Top Safety Pick+ award, while its plug-in hybrid counterpart was named a Top Safety Pick. The XC90 performed well during a crash, but scored poorly in the IIHS' categories under crash avoidance and mitigation. It was docked points for low beam headlight performance, along with how well its forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems performed in the presence of a motorcycle, children, and adults. The IIHS also docked the model for its poor tether anchors for child seats. Nissan's Pathfinder was the only model from the Japanese automaker to receive a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. The midsize SUV performed well in all areas tested except its headlights. The IIHS said visibility was only fair when using low-beams and high-beams on curved roads. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
