Vehicle Safety History

1869 - First recorded vehicle fatality - Ireland

1891 - First recorded gas powered  vehicle fatality - US, Ohio

1899 - First recorded electric vehicle fatality - US, NY

Hydraulic brakes, safety glass, smooth interior components,  padded dash

1934 – GM performs first barrier crash test

1949 – SAAB builds vehicles with “safety cage”

Volvo patents 3-point seat belt

AMC offers headrests for front seats

Cadillac develops “crash avoidance system”

GM develops crash test dummies

Airbag systems begin development

First child restraint systems begin to get used for child safety

1964 – first rear facing child restraint developed in Sweden

1966 – first federal laws passed for vehicle safety

1966 - Seatbelts required in front seats of all new vehicles

Crash test dummies – anthropomorphic test devices (ATD) advanced

1968 – Ford and GM develop child restraint systems

Eliminated protruding controls/knobs

Padding added dash and interior surfaces

Mounting points for shoulder belts added

First commercial airbags available (optional equipment)  – GM vehicles

NHTSA starts New Car Assessment Program (aka: NCAP) for frontal crashes

•  Precursor to Star Ratings currently used

3-point belts required in front seating positions

1979 - Tennessee passes first child restraint use law

First FMVSS213 established requiring belts to secure child restraints to the vehicle

Fuel crisis hits the world

New York passes first seat belt law

All states pass belt laws except one

• – Est ~10,000 lives saved

FMVSS dynamic testing standard developed for child restraint systems

1985 - Child restraint laws passed in all US states requiring use 

Central high mounted 3rd brake light become standard

Anti-lock brake systems develop

Airbags installed as standard equipment

Volvo introduces side airbags

Development of LATCH for securing child restraint systems

Laws passed requiring kids to ride in rear seats

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) begins frontal crash test program

NHTSA updates NCAP to star rating system

NHTSA begins side NCAP

Driver and right front passenger airbags become standard on passenger cars

Anti-lock brake systems enter mainstream market

NHTSA begins rollover risk tests

NHTSA begins side pole tests

3-point belts mandated in all rear seat positions

Stability control added to vehicle to reduce crash risk

Stability control required after 2012 on all new cars

Tire pressure monitoring systems become available - 2008

Roof crush standard upgraded - 2009

Active safety systems added to vehicles

• Forward collision warning and brake assist

• Blind spot warning and cross traffic alerts

• Lane departure warning and lane-keep assist

Backup cameras required in all new vehicles 2018

Long range battery powered vehicles developed

FMVSS developed related to battery powered vehicle safety

Totally autonomous vehicles – self driving cars

• Eliminate or reduce crashes

• New crash test dummies begin implementation around the world

FMVSS 213 Child Restraint Standards updated