ˆ A gentler tap - IIHS suggests car bumper standards for light trucks

tags : bumper compatibility , bumper height , bumper standards , bumpercompatibility , bumperheight , bumperstandards , car bumper , carbumper , iihs , insurance industry , insurance institute , insurance institute ... , insuranceindustry , insuranceinstitute , insuranceinstitute... , nhtsa , truck bumper , truckbumper

It's not a surprise that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) would be backing a proposal that has the potential to lower the amount of damage vehicles sustain in crashes, and therefore lead to less costly repairs for insurers. What is surprising is the NHTSA's stubborn attitude about accepting outside suggestions. The proposal is simple enough; the IIHS recommends that trucks and cars use the same bumper standards for greater crash compatibility. Being cynical and following the money does lead one back to the fact that such a change would save the insurance industry a large sum, but so what? Saving the insurance industry money saves us poor saps a few nickels, too – or the rates continue to be just as expensive while the corporate robber barons pocket the increased profits.

NHTSA has heard this argument before, rejecting petitions for porting the car bumper standard to light trucks in both 1984 and 1991. The IIHS is hoping that this time around, the fact that it's an organization proposing the change, and their new research, will sway the regulatory body in a more favorable direction. The IIHS used the Ford Explorer and its more car-compatible bumpers to demonstrate in tests that both vehicles in a crash would sustain less damage without exacting any penalty in usefulness or capability. NHTSA is already on the case of vehicle compatibility in a broad sense, and will likely try to roll any bumper-centric work into that effort. It would seem like a no-brainer to have cars and light trucks with bumpers that match up, but it's taken the past century of automotive production and dependence to get the idea any kind of traction. With that kind of glacial pace, we should start petitioning now in anticipation of a super-tight oil supply and incoming waves of sub-A class vehicles. We sure wouldn't want to get mauled by an Explorer on our way to get milk and bread in our Nano in 2030.

posted : 7/3/2008 @5:01:49 PM

ˆ Watch out, Canada alters bumper standards

tags : bumper standards , bumperstandards , canada , canadian safety standards , canadiansafetystandards , safety standards , safetystandards

Come September 1, 2009, Canadian bumper standards will finally adhere to those in Europe and the United States, despite IIHS disagreeing on the matter. Canada's current standards have very strict low speed impact requirements. These damage protection standards often lead manufacturers to tack ugly padding on their bumpers. The unique standards can also be used as an excuse to keep many vehicles out of the Canadian market altogether. The costs necessary for manufacturers to meet and verify these tough regulations only up the price for the maple leaf market over the rest of North America. The adoption of a consistent standard should diminish the confusion felt by automotive consumers and allow them access to the cars they desire. It might also add more cushion for careless pedestrians who manage to get tagged by slow moving vehicles.

posted : 6/30/2008 @7:03:55 PM

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