StatusInsurance Institute for Highway Safety Report | Highway Loss Data Institute Vol. 55, No. 1 February 13, 2020

64 vehicles earn safety awards

More vehicles come with standard autobrake Good headlights are still mostly optional What’s behind pedestrian deaths on freeways? ixty-four cars and SUVs qualify for with the right headlights can be a challenge the front crash prevention requirements for an award from the Insurance Insti- for consumers. We wanted to reward auto- either award with optional equipment. S tute for Highway Safety under new makers that have removed this obstacle.” However, 20 TOP SAFETY PICK+ win- criteria that prioritize the protection of pe- Six of the “plus” winners — the Genesis ners and 26 TOP SAFETY PICK winners destrians in addition to vehicle occupants. G70, Honda Insight, , come with standard systems, as automakers To qualify for a 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK NX, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and Tesla move to meet their voluntary commitment or TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, vehicles Model 3 — aren’t sold with anything other on automatic emergency braking (AEB). The must have good ratings in each of the Insti- than good-rated headlights. A good rating commitment calls for front AEB to be stan- tute’s six crashworthiness evaluations. They means headlights provide the best balance dard on all but the heaviest passenger vehi- must also have good or acceptable head- of visibility and lack of excessive glare for cles by 2022 (see p. 4). lights and available front crash prevention drivers of oncoming vehicles. The voluntary commitment calls only for that earns advanced or superior ratings in Good visibility is key to avoiding crashes systems that avoid crashes with other vehi- both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pe- in the dark. In the time it takes a driver to cles, but many automakers are incorporat- destrian evaluations. react to an obstacle under ideal conditions — ing vehicle-to-pedestrian functionality. The “plus” is awarded to models that come 1½ seconds — a car traveling 55 mph covers IIHS launched pedestrian crash preven- exclusively with good or acceptable head- about 120 feet. Headlights need to illuminate tion ratings about a year ago (See “New lights, making it easier for consumers to find obstacles well before that. The difference be- ratings address pedestrian crashes,” Feb. properly equipped vehicles. Of the 64 award tween good-rated headlights and poor ones 21, 2019) and is incorporating them into winners, 23 qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK+. can be the difference between seeing an ob- the TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY No or pickups qualify for either stacle in time to stop and crashing into it. PICK+ awards for the first time. award so far this year. That could change Vehicles are evaluated in three scenarios: if automakers make midyear production Front crash prevention an adult pedestrian stepping into the street changes and nominate the vehicle for testing. Although consumers who buy a TOP in the path of the oncoming vehicle with an “The headlight ratings that have been part SAFETY PICK+ can be assured that any trim unobstructed view, a child darting into the of our awards criteria in recent years have line they choose will be equipped with ad- street from behind two parked cars, and an pushed automakers to pay more attention to equate headlights, they’ll still need to make adult pedestrian near the side of the road in this essential equipment,” says IIHS President sure their particular vehicle is equipped with the travel lane, facing away from traffic. Each David Harkey. “However, finding vehicles front crash prevention. Vehicles can meet test is conducted at two different speeds. »

2 | Status Report — Vol. 55, No. 1 These models have standard good or acceptable headlights. Good or acceptable headlights are available on these models, but not standard. The vehicles qualify for the award only when equipped with those headlights.

Small cars Honda Insight Small cars Honda Civic coupe 3 hatchback Honda Civic hatchback; does not apply to Type R variant Mazda 3 sedan Honda Civic sedan Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid with optional front crash prevention Midsize cars Mazda 6 Hyundai Elantra GT with optional front crash prevention Maxima with optional front crash prevention Subaru Legacy Forte with optional front crash prevention Subaru Outback built after October 2019 Kia Soul with optional front crash prevention Toyota Camry Subaru Crosstrek with optional front crash prevention Subaru Impreza sedan; with optional front crash prevention Midsize luxury cars Lexus ES Subaru Impreza wagon; with optional front crash prevention Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan; with optional front crash prevention Subaru WRX with optional front crash prevention Tesla Model 3 Toyota Corolla hatchback Toyota Corolla sedan Large luxury cars Audi A6 Genesis G70 built after December 2019 Midsize cars Honda Accord Genesis G80 Nissan Altima with optional front crash prevention Small SUVs Mazda CX-3 Mazda CX-5 with optional front crash prevention Midsize luxury cars BMW 3 series Subaru Forester Volvo S60 Midsize luxury SUVs RDX Large car Kia Stinger with optional front crash prevention XT6 built after October 2019 Large luxury car Audi A7 Hyundai Nexo Small SUVs Equinox Lexus NX Ford Escape Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class built after July Honda CR-V 2019; with optional front crash prevention with optional front crash prevention with optional front crash prevention Kia Sportage Lexus UX All 2020 award G Good ratings in the driver- Lincoln Corsair winners have: side and passenger-side small Toyota RAV4 overlap front, moderate overlap Volvo XC40 front, side, roof strength and head Midsize SUVs Ford Edge restraint tests Advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention Kia Sorento with optional front crash prevention in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests Mazda CX-9 with optional front crash prevention Subaru Ascent Volkswagen Tiguan Midsize luxury SUV Lexus RX For details on these and other vehicles go to iihs.org/ratings. Large SUV Audi Q8

February 13, 2020 | 3 (« from p. 2) Pedestrian detection tech- nology is one solution that could help ad- Automakers make progress dress rising pedestrian deaths. Annual pedestrian fatalities have increased 53 percent since reaching a low point on standard autobrake in 2009, and more than 6,000 pedes- trians were killed in crashes in 2018. our automakers equipped virtually front crash prevention. Pedestrian crash “Rewarding vehicle technology that pro- all the light vehicles they produced prevention isn’t part of the volun- tects other road users is new territory for F for the U.S. market between Sept. 1, tary commitment, but many automak- the TOP SAFETY PICK awards, but we be- 2018, and Aug. 31, 2019, with automat- ers have been adding it to their standard lieve vehicle manufacturers have an impor- ic emergency braking (AEB), three years autobrake systems anyway. tant role to play in protecting vulnerable road ahead of a 2022 target. Of the 64 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP users,” Harkey says. Audi and Volvo joined Mercedes-Benz SAFETY PICK+ winners, 46 have stan- and Tesla, which hit the target last year, dard vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pe- Good protection for passengers in outfitting all their light passenger ve- destrian AEB that meet the award criteria. This is the first year that a good passen- hicles with the crash avoidance technol- In addition to the four automakers ger-side small overlap front rating is re- ogy, according to manufacturer reports. that reached 100 percent, seven more quired for both awards. Last year, a good or acceptable rating was required for TOP SAFETY PICK, while a good rating was needed to achieve the “plus.” The passenger-side small overlap evalua- tion is the newest of the IIHS crashworthi- ness tests. The Institute launched this test after it became clear that some manufactur- ers were ignoring the passenger side as they made changes to improve performance in the IIHS driver-side small overlap test. The small overlap tests are designed to replicate what happens when just the front corner of the vehicle collides with anoth- er vehicle or an object like a tree or pole. These crashes present a challenge for some seat belt and airbag designs because occu- pants move both forward and to the side of the vehicle. Also, crash forces can bypass the vehicle’s main crush-zone structures. In total, several million more vehi- manufacturers — Toyota, Volkswagen, cles were produced with AEB, compared BMW, Nissan, Honda, Subaru and Mazda Mazda, Hyundai are standouts with the previous year. — equipped more than 8 out of 10 new Among automakers, Mazda has the most The reports are submitted annually as vehicles with AEB in 2019. TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards with five — part of a voluntary commitment by 20 The data reported by automakers for the Mazda 3 sedan, Mazda 3 hatchback, manufacturers to equip all but the heavi- shows that more than 9 million vehicles Mazda 6, CX-3 and CX-5. The company est passenger vehicles with the crash were equipped with AEB during this re- earns a TOP SAFETY PICK for the CX-9. avoidance technology by Sept. 1, 2022. porting period. That’s about 30 percent Hyundai Motor Group — which includes The commitment was brokered in 2015 more than the previous year. the Genesis and Kia brands in addition to by IIHS and the National Highway Traf- The 2022 target date applies to light- Hyundai — has the most winners overall, fic Safety Administration (NHTSA). duty cars and trucks with a gross vehicle 14 earning a TOP SAFETY PICK award The performance requirements under weight of 8,500 pounds or less. Auto- and three earning TOP SAFETY PICK+. the agreement correspond to an ad- makers also committed to installing AEB No vehicles from Fiat or Mit- vanced rating in the IIHS vehicle-to- on vehicles in the 8,501-10,000-pound subishi earn either award this year. Ford/ vehicle front crash prevention test. An range by September 2025. Lincoln, Volvo and BMW haven’t picked advanced or superior rating is needed to IIHS estimates that the commitment up any TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards, while qualify for the 2020 TOP SAFETY PICK will prevent 42,000 crashes and 20,000 in- and Nissan each earn only or TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. juries by 2025. Front crash prevention sys- one TOP SAFETY PICK and one TOP The awards also require an advanced or tems with AEB reduce rear-end crashes by SAFETY PICK+ award. n superior rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian half, IIHS research indicates. n

4 | Status Report — Vol. 55, No. 1 Despite new award criteria, headlights are still an afterthought on many vehicles

any more vehicles are available headlights across the board. On another 31 When good-rated headlights have been with headlights that illuminate an models, acceptable headlights are the low- offered as an option, manufacturers haven’t M acceptable distance ahead without est-rated ones that are offered. That marks always produced vehicles equipped with blinding oncoming drivers in 2020 than in a 7 percent increase over the number of them in large numbers, however. previous years. Yet base models with good- 2019 models available exclusively with “We try to rate all the headlights offered rated headlights remain rare. good or acceptable headlights. The 2020 by each manufacturer, but sometimes it’s a

The Lexus NX, pictured here, is one of only six model year 2020 vehicles IIHS has evaluated so far that come equipped with good-rated headlights across all trim levels. For many others, good-rated headlights are expensive options, and 30 models are available exclusively with headlights rated poor.

“Many carmakers still treat high-quality results could change as the Institute evalu- struggle to find some of the optional, high- headlights as extras, rather than essential ates additional models and manufacturers end systems at local dealerships,” says safety features,” says David Aylor, manag- implement midyear changes. Aylor. “If we have trouble finding them to er of active safety testing at IIHS. “Leather Out of the 37 models with standard test, how can consumers be expected to seats and sunroofs are nice, but you need good or acceptable headlights, 23 earn the find them to purchase?” high-quality headlights to avoid hazards.” TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. The other 14 IIHS rates headlights on the distance About half of all fatal crashes in the U.S. fall short on other crashworthiness or col- that they illuminate the road as the vehi- occur in the dark, and more than a quarter lision avoidance criteria. cle travels straight and on curves. The tests occur on unlit roads. Nevertheless, man- On the other side of the spectrum, 30 of evaluate both low beams and high beams. ufacturers have historically sold many the 2020 models tested can only be pur- On a straightaway, good-rated low beams models with several different headlight chased with poor headlights, compared illuminate the right side of the road ahead systems of varying quality. with 36 in 2019. to at least 325 feet. Poor ones might light For the first time in 2020, headlights Manufacturers have also continued up 220 feet or even less. that earn at least an acceptable rating must their more rapid progress in offering IIHS engineers also deduct points for be installed across all the variants for sale, good headlights as options. When IIHS headlights that produce glare that can mo- rather than merely available as options, for began rating headlights in 2016, the best- mentarily blind oncoming drivers. Extra a vehicle to qualify for the highest IIHS available headlights on only two of the 95 credit is awarded for systems that automat- award, TOP SAFETY PICK+. models IIHS tested earned a good rating. ically switch between high beams and low Only 6 of the 156 models that IIHS In 2020, good-rated headlights are avail- beams, since research shows that most driv- has rated so far come with good-rated able on 55 out of 156 models evaluated. ers don’t use their high beams enough. n

February 13, 2020 | 5 Land use plays a role in pedestrian freeway fatalities

fter a fifth pedestrian was killed this occur where the freeway separates residen- Patrick Oborski. Over the years, he has year crossing Interstate 35 in Austin, tial areas from commercial and other non- also seen many fatalities at Capital Plaza A Texas, a local headline expressed residential areas. near 51st street, where there are low-in- the city’s frustration. “Why does it keep Many U.S. cities have interstates or other come hotels and motels on one side of the happening?” the local ABC affiliate asked. major highways cutting through them and freeway and a McDonald’s and other fast Since then, the death toll has reached 13. separating neighborhoods. Planning de- food restaurants on the other. Austin is not alone in wondering why this cisions made decades ago are difficult to “That’s one of the areas that’s consistent- happens and what can be done. In recent undo, but communities can take practical ly been a hot spot for us,” Oborski says. years, more than 800 pedestrians annu- steps to keep pedestrians safe. Across the country, pedestrian fatalities ally have been killed on U.S. interstates “Our findings suggest that localities increased 53 percent from 2009 to 2018 and other freeways. The largest number of with residential communities across the and now account for 17 percent of traffic them were hit attempting to cross in urban freeway from shopping centers, sta- deaths (see “Study highlights rising pe- areas, a new study from the Insurance In- tions or entertainment districts should destrian deaths, points toward solutions,” stitute for Highway Safety finds. consider physical barriers that prevent pe- May 8, 2018). Pedestrian fatalities on in- The researchers zoomed in on Califor- destrians from crossing — especially if the terstates and other high-speed, controlled- nia for a more detailed analysis and found commercial centers include bars or liquor access roads increased by 60 percent over that most of the fatal crossing crashes there stores,” says Jessica Cicchino, IIHS vice the same period. From 2015 to 2018 more president for research. than 800 pedestrians were killed on such IIHS RESEARCH Indeed, a fence along the median to roadways annually. discourage crossers is one of the changes To get a clearer picture of when, where “Fatal pedestrian crashes on interstates Austin police would like to see on I-35. and why those deaths are happening, re- and other freeways in the United States” Most of those killed crossing I-35 are searchers analyzed data from the feder- by J. Wang and, J.B. Cicchino homeless people, who often live in tents al database of fatal motor vehicle crashes To request this paper, email [email protected]. or makeshift dwellings on the roadside, over 2015-17. They looked at various crash says Austin Police Department Detective characteristics, such as whether or not the

6 | Status Report — Vol. 55, No. 1 person killed was an “unintended” pedes- trian stranded due to a disabled vehicle. For California, where the largest number of pedestrians were killed crossing inter- states and freeways during the study period, the researchers also identified the types of land use on both sides of the roadway at the places people were killed while crossing. Nationwide, most of the 2,518 pedes- trian fatalities on freeways and interstates from 2015 to 2017 occurred in urban areas, at night and in the dark. More than half of fatal crashes were in locations with a speed limit of 65 mph or higher, notes IIHS re- searcher Jin Wang, the study’s lead author. “Darkness and speed often come into play in pedestrian crashes, but these factors are exaggerated on interstates and free- ways,” says Wang. “That suggests better- lit roadways and better headlights could make a difference.” IIHS ratings have demonstrated wide differences in how well various headlights illuminate the road (see “Headlights im- prove, but base models leave drivers in the dark,” Nov. 29, 2018), and past research has shown that drivers do not use their high- beam headlights as often as they should (see “Few drivers use their high beams, A chain-link fence is intended to prevent pedestrians from crossing this freeway that cuts through study finds,” March 30, 2016). downtown San Diego, but an open gate allows people to ignore the danger for the sake of the shortcut. Speed is perhaps the most important risk factor. On average, 9 out of 10 pedestrians who are hit by a vehicle traveling at 55 mph A combination of measures is likely die as a result of their injuries, and that needed to address the problem of number increases at higher speeds. pedestrian crashes on freeways. Only 18 percent of the pedestrians killed Physical barriers, underpasses and were on the freeway because of a disabled overpasses to allow people to safely vehicle. About a third of those killed had a cross, and better lighting could all blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent help reduce the toll. or higher, and 42 percent were attempting to cross the freeway. In the analysis of California, the research- ers found that nearly 3 out of 5 people killed while crossing freeways were at points with residential land on one side and commer- cial, transportation, recreational, institu- tional or industrial property on the other. Only 13 percent of fatal crossing crashes occurred in spots with residential land on both sides of the road. The findings suggest that a combination of better lighting, physical barriers preventing pedestrians from crossing at road level, and correctly designed overpasses and under- passes to allow people to cross safely could greatly reduce the number of fatalities. n

February 13, 2020 | 7 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute

Vol. 55, No. 1 February 13, 2020 Status Report

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