Anyone considering purchasing a vehicle in the next few months should probably wait to review the results of crash tests that are being conducted on 2012 models. According to Automotive Discovery, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be putting 81 percent of the 2012 models being sold on the market through the ringer to see how they fare with crash testing and safety standards. The results will be posted online. Last October, the NHTSA started testing vehicles more stringently but the results were not positive despite manufacturers wanting to achieve a 5-star rating on each vehicle they put onto the assembly line for mass production.
Considering how much time most of us spend in our vehicle each day, purchasing a vehicle that meets federal standards and is rated with 5 stars should be a pretty high priority in reducing the risk of injury in a Coral Springs car accident.
Car accident lawyers in Coconut Creek, Vero Beach, Cooper City and Davie know that most vehicles are being built with safety features and are more structurally sound than in previous years, but too many deaths are still occurring on Florida roadways. Consumers are advised to do your research and know what you’re buying to help prevent tragic accidents from taking your life or that of a loved one. However, manufacturers have a responsibility to keep consumers safe, so if you are injured in an accident caused by a defective vehicle seek the advice of a legal professional immediately.
The NHTSA has recently released the list of 2012 models to be crash-tested. The 74-item list contains two minivans, eight pickup trucks, 22 SUVs and crossovers, and 42 passenger cars. Some of the vehicles being tested include: Acura TL, BMW 328i, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition and Honda Pilot. For a full list of the 2012 models being crash-tested for safety, click here.
New for this year, the NHTSA’s restored testing program will provide consumers with recommendations on which vehicles have the most effective “crash avoidance” technologies. Manufacturers are equipping newer model vehicles with lane departure warnings (LDW) and forward collision warnings (FCW) to help reduce the risk of veering off the roadway or rear-ending a vehicle or object in front of you. Last year only 45 models offered these protective devices as an option. There are 68 vehicle models for 2012 that have LDW (12), FCW (18) or both (38) features already installed in the vehicle.
In a statement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reiterated that by raising the bar from crash testing last year, manufacturers are being held accountable for building safer cars. Consumers purchasing a vehicle should remember the more stars found next to the name, the safer it has been found to withstand a crash.
The results of the crash testing and recommendations for the vehicles with the best crash avoidance technologies will be posted on safercar.gov.
Remember, if you are purchasing a new vehicle visit this website before you buy. You can also check back for defective vehicle recalls to make sure the car you are driving is safe.
Contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC if you have been injured in an accident caused by a defective vehicle in Weston, Hollywood, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach or the surrounding areas of South Florida. Call for a free appointment to discuss your claim at 1-800-561-7777.
Additional Resources:
List of 2012 Models to be Tested by NHTSA Released, by James Lavern, Automotive News.
More Blog Entries:
Reduce the Risks of Breakdowns and Roadside Accidents in Miami, Fort Pierce and Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, September 15, 2011.
Parents Choosing Safe Cars Reduces Injury to Young Drivers Involved in Fort Lauderdale Teen Car Accidents, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, August 12, 2011.
Safe Cars Help Reduce the Risk of Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, July 18, 2011.