The History of Car Safety

Car safety reached a tipping point in the 1970s and has continued to gain momentum ever since. Review the history of what happened and when it happened, what's coming down the road, and the ways automobile safety and safer cars may save you money on car insurance.

What is the history of car safety?

Even if your automobile is just two decades old, it is unquestionably safer now than a comparable vehicle from four decades ago. 

This is because since the 1970s, an official crash-testing program and progressively rigorous vehicle safety and equipment criteria have been implemented. The following details a brief timeline of the history of car safety.

1899: First Auto-Related Death Occurs

Possibly because the first stop sign wasn't erected until 1914, Henry Hale Bliss was killed by a motorized carriage in New York City in 1899, the first documented traffic fatality in the United States. In Detroit, the three-color stoplight was introduced four years later.

Safety Equipment Debuts in 1908

Some fundamental safety measures have to be developed at some point. The Ford Model T, the most popular automobile on the road in 1908, did not come standard with standard amenities like a windshield, headlights, or speedometer. 

A lamination technique was used to prevent the glass from breaking into giant, dangerous shards when used in the first automobile with conventional safety glass. Only in 1939 were electric turn signals invented, and the first automobile fitted with seat belts was produced. 

A shoulder belt was not standard on any automobile until Volvo made the change in 1959. As far back as 1955, Michigan was the first state to mandate a driver's education course before giving a driver's license.

The Vehicle Safety Act of 1966

However, not all automobile-related safety measures were implemented in the distant past. In 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act was approved. It resulted in a new rule book, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), which established the required equipment and construction of automobiles in the United States. 

Following this, the United States saw government regulations for front seat belts in all passenger automobiles enacted, along with crashworthiness standards, head restraints, side-impact standards, and 5-mph bumpers. These were all implemented over the next several years.

The First Use of Airbags

GM's introduction of airbags in 1974 paved the way for today's cutting-edge automotive innovations. A federal mandate mandating seat belt interlock devices in all automobiles was also adopted in the United States in 1974. 

These devices prevented the car from starting unless the driver was wearing a seat belt. Because of public uproar, the provision was quickly revoked when it was implemented in 2013. 

In 1984, New York state enacted the first legislation mandating seat belts after the seat belt interlock debacle. As of 1995, 49 states have passed legislation requiring seat belts.

Anti-Lock Brakes Become Standard 

In 1985, the Mercedes-Benz S Class became the first vehicle since the 1960s to come standard with anti-lock brakes. 

Electronic anti-lock braking systems were initially deployed in the early 1970s by several firms throughout the industry. Nissan and Toyota were early adopters of anti-lock braking systems, as were Chrysler, Ford, and Nissan. Anti-lock brakes became standard equipment on Cadillacs in 1991.

It wasn't until the late '90s that airbags became commonplace, and it wasn't until 1998 that twin front airbags were mandatory. In 1985, the same year Ford and Lincoln started selling airbags as an option, Mercedes-Benz made them standard equipment on all U.S. models. 

Chrysler was the first automaker to make airbags standard equipment in 1989. The first head-on collision involving two airbag-equipped vehicles resulted in no injuries to either of the drivers.

Vehicle Security Innovations in the 2000s and Later

Some of the active safety systems that made their debuts in the 2000s include:

• Adaptive cruise control

• Adaptive lighting

• Automatic braking systems

• Blind=spot warnings

• Forward collision warnings

• Lane-keeping and lane-departure warning systems

• Night-vision cameras 

• Parking sensors

• Pedestrian detection

• Rear-view backup cameras

As these technologies came together, the notion of a self-driving automobile began to take shape, and today, many of the world's carmakers are pursuing that objective to reduce traffic fatalities.

Although self-driving cars may be on the horizon, several optional safety technologies have yet to be made standard or common equipment on lower-priced vehicles, such as automated lane-keeping, adaptive cruise control, and automatic braking. 

Many premium and high-end mainstream vehicles are equipped with these features. However, the majority of automobiles do not.

Although self-driving car research is expected to take decades, looking back at the chronology of vehicle safety rules and improvements might help us understand how far we've gone.

The Evolution of Vehicle Safety

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Department of Transportation's National Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) have done a great deal to ensure that new cars are tested to the highest standards. 

They also make sure the carmakers themselves are actively developing more advanced safety technology.

Last but not least, technical advances in the automobile sector have led to a dramatic shift in attitudes toward improved safety regulations. 

Automobile manufacturers continue to push back against new safety features. Still, they've spent more time and money significantly bringing them to market than any other industry brand has in the past. 

Self-driving vehicles might theoretically eliminate most vehicle-related injuries and deaths. It's worth looking back at how car safety has grown through time before looking forward to what's coming next.

How does auto safety save me money?

Over the years, vehicle safety features have progressed significantly. Crumple zones, seat belts, and airbags are all essential safety features if a collision occurs. Still, active safety support technologies that may prevent an accident or keep drivers safe are becoming an increasingly important point of distinction in the automotive industry.

An accident in which a safe structure, effective restraint systems, and active safety aid technologies are used together gives the driver the highest chance of survival. You may even be able to avoid one entirely.

These safety improvements not only ensure your safety, but they also can save you money on auto insurance.

Several variables influence your auto insurance prices, including your age and ZIP code, driving history, and credit score, as well as the sort of vehicle you drive. When it comes to your automobile, there are certain features you can add that will help you save money on car insurance. 

While some of these things are difficult to modify, some can help you save money on car insurance. Most major auto insurance companies provide discounts to drivers with specific safety features installed in their vehicles, such as anti-theft devices or blind-spot detection systems.

You may already have those features installed in your vehicle if you have a recent model. However, if you have an older model or a model that did not come with the improvements, you may be able to retrofit specific upgrades or add-ons. 

On the other hand, some safety features may only provide marginal reductions or no savings at all, making the addition of new features not necessarily the most cost-effective option to lower your insurance premiums.

(Photo : Imani Francies)

Imani Francies writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, CarInsurance.org. Imani enjoys researching the history of auto safety trends and stays up to date on the newest safe driving trends to help people stay safe when driving on the roads so they can save on auto insurance rates.