West Virginia drivers who own modern two-row pickup trucks should know about some crash tests done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS performed both driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal collision tests to see how the two sides can withstand a collision with a vehicle or other object. The results were uneven, with passengers seeing an increased chance of injury/death than drivers.
NTSB: limos should require lap and shoulder belts for all
If they intend to take a limousine somewhere in West Virginia, people should know what the current safety standards are like for these vehicles. Many limousines are modified to the point that they can be considered mid-sized trucks. As a result, they are exempt from the seating and seat belt standards that apply to traditional vehicles.
Tips for preventing car crashes in West Virginia
Some 40,000 people died in car crashes in 2018. While this represented a 1% decrease from the previous year, the number is still high. Car crashes also led to 4.5 million cases of injury last year. With one person being injured in an auto accident every seven seconds, it's more important than ever to practice safe driving. Below are five simple tips to consider.
Parents are concerned about teenage distracted driving
West Virginia residents may be interested in learning what a recent study revealed about distracted teen drivers. Most parents know that when a teenager gets their license, they are excited to be behind the wheel, but parents are concerned about their child using safe driving practices. This is why recent research has caught the eyes of some parents.
Red-light running crashes lead to 939 deaths in 2017
There were 939 deaths resulting from red-light running crashes in 2017: the highest that the number has been in a decade. In 65% of these crashes, it is someone other than the offending driver who dies. Reckless, impatient and distracted drivers in West Virginia and across the U.S. are to blame for this trend, but that doesn't mean that others can do nothing to protect themselves.
Study shows majority of drivers still driving distractedly
A study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance indicates that aggressive and distracted driving habits vary by the geography and age group of the driver. Despite widespread campaigns to combat distracted driving in West Virginia, the phenomenon is still a major problem. According to a Liberty Safe Driving Expert, anything that draws the driver's attention away from the immediate task of driving is dangerous, including hands-free technology.
Subaru Crosstrek most crash-prone car despite high safety rating
Among newer vehicle models, the 2019 Subaru Crosstrek sees the most number of at-fault crashes. This is according to a survey from Insurfy. The vehicle insurance comparison website looked into its database of more than 1.6 million insurance quotes came up with a list of 10 vehicles that are especially crash-prone. Residents of West Virginia should know that accidents have affected 13.64% of all vehicles in its database.
Avoiding the danger of distracted driving
Distracted driving leads to car crashes in West Virginia, many of them fatal. In 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 3,166 people who died in distracted driving crashes around the country. Avoiding distractions behind the wheel, then, is imperative for every driver, and there are a few steps to aid in doing this.
AAA: Older drivers distracted more by in-vehicle tech
The presence of in-vehicle technology can be distracting to drivers in West Virginia and across the U.S., and this is especially true for older motorists. A study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of Utah shows that drivers between the ages of 55 and 75 take their eyes off the street for eight seconds more on average than drivers aged 21 to 36 when using in-vehicle tech.
Study shows women are more likely to suffer car crash injuries
The journal Traffic Injury Prevention has published a study, the results of which should interest women drivers in West Virginia. It turns out that, despite the use of three-point seatbelts and the more excellent protection afforded by newer model vehicles, women are at a higher risk for car crash injuries than men are. In front-end collisions, the most common car crash, women are 73% more likely to be injured.
