Secretary Peters Announces Tougher Vehicle Safety Standard To Protect Against Side-Impact Crashes

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced new side impact safety requirements for all passenger vehicles. It is expected that the upgrade, developed by DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), will save hundreds of lives every year. The new standard requires auto manufacturers – for the first time ever – to provide head protection in side-impact crashes. It also would enhance other protections for passengers involved in such crashes. Side-impact passenger vehicle crashes are a serious – and frequently severe – safety problem on the nation’s roadways. Side impact crashes account for 28 percent of all fatalities, the majority of which involve a brain injury. NHTSA estimates that the new requirements will save over 300 lives and prevent nearly 400 serious injuries per year.