August 20 |
New crash test results: 4 small SUVs earn Top Safety Pick; good ratings for hybrids, but the Jeep Wrangler is poor in side test |
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August 12 |
Audi Q7 earns Top Safety Pick award |
August 12 |
States begin to allow the use of the minitrucks on public roads
Minitrucks are small-engine, gasoline-powered, four-wheel motorized vehicles that have the following characteristics: a fully enclosed passenger compartment, one row of bench seating for the driver and a passenger, a steering wheel, and a flat-bed or lift as the rear part of the vehicle.
Minitrucks laws page |
August 7 |
Five states change license renewal cycles for older drivers
License renewal procedures for older drivers can include accelerated renewal cycles that provide for shorter renewal intervals for drivers older than a specified age, typically 65 or 70; a requirement that they renew their licenses in person rather than electronically or by mail where remote renewal is permitted; and testing (vision and road tests, for example) that is not routinely required of younger drivers.
These special renewal procedures for older drivers apply in addition to the procedures that exist in all states for evaluating licensed drivers of any age who may no longer meet the standards for licensure because of physical or mental infirmities.
In 2008 five states amended their laws to change driver's license renewal cycles:
- Virginia increased from 5 to 8 years the renewal cycle for all drivers (effective July 1, 2008)
- Rhode Island increased from 70 to 75 the age at which the 2-year accelerated renewal begins (effective July 1, 2008)
- Colorado allows drivers of all ages to renew by mail, provided the previous renewal was in person; the state also increased from 61 to 66 the age at which drivers can renew licenses electronically (effective August 6, 2008)
- Florida increased from 6 to 8 years the renewal cycle for all drivers and created an accelerated renewal cycle of 6 years for drivers 80 and older (effective October 1, 2008)
- Hawaii increased from 6 to 8 years the renewal cycle for all drivers (effective November 3, 2008)
Information on each state's licensing renewal provisions for older drivers
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August 5 |
Acura RL wins Top Safety Pick award; seat/head restraint combination improves to good |
July 24 |
First time Institute side tests small pickups: Toyota rates good, but results for others are 'dismal' and key safety feature isn't standard on most models
See also Status Report, Vol. 43, No. 6 cover story (PDF) |
July 1 |
Federal bumper rules should apply to SUVs, pickups, vans, and cars alike
See also Status Report, Vol. 43, No.5 cover story (PDF) |
June 23 |
Acura TSX luxury car is Top Safety Pick
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June 9 |
Teen drivers often ignore bans on using cellphones and texting
See also Status Report, Vol. 43, No. 4 cover story (PDF) and "Short-term effects of a teenage driver cellphone restriction" research paper (PDF) |
June 4 |
IIHS testifies on the relationship of roof strength and injury risk in rollover crashes
Testimony PDF |
May 14 |
First Institute crash tests of Smart car: diminutive two-seater earns top ratings for protecting people in front & side crashes |
April 17 |
New crash test results: Subaru Forester is Top Safety Pick |
April 10 |
New crash tests of midsize cars: protection in side impacts improves, but most cars tested still afford marginal or poor protection in rear crashes |
February 26 |
New crash tests of SUVs: Nissan Murano is Top Safety Pick; 3 SUVs are marginal or poor for protection in side crashes |
January 17 |
Brian Boyden is elected IIHS board chairman |
January 17 |
Laurette Stiles is elected HLDI board chairman |
January 10 |
Infiniti SUV earns top safety award |
January 9 |
Cadillac CTS earns top safety award |
