Three out of seven large pickup trucks evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in a new round of crash tests earn an acceptable or higher rating for occupant protection in a small overlap front crash.
IIHS evaluated two body styles of each 2016 model-year pickup — crew cab and extended cab. Crew cabs have four full doors and two full rows of seating. Extended cabs have two full front doors, two smaller rear doors and compact second-row seats.
IIHS last year decided it would test the two most popular variants of large pickups instead of just one after discovering that the Ford F-150 extended cab lacked structural countermeasures that helped the crew cab earn the top rating of good in the small overlap test. The test replicates what happens when a vehicle runs off the road and hits a tree or pole or clips another vehicle that has crossed the center line.
Ford improved the 2016 model F-150 SuperCab to clinch a good rating in the small overlap crash test, up from the 2015 model’s marginal rating. The F-150 is the only large pickup in the latest test group to earn the Institute’s top rating in the test. It joins the F-150 SuperCrew in earning a 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK award when equipped with Ford’s optional basic-rated forward collision warning system.
Vehicles that earn a basic rating for front crash prevention plus good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK. To qualify for 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
New research from Carfax suggests that millions of people may be driving, buying, or selling potentially dangerous cars due to an unfixed recall. The company’s annual research on the issue shows more than 46 million cars nationwide have at least one safety recall that’s never been fixed. In fact, five million of them were bought and sold by potentially unsuspecting consumers in 2014.
One of the most alarming discoveries is that people driving or buying family-oriented vehicles – specifically minivans and SUVs – are most at risk. One in three minivans and one in five SUVs has an unfixed recall, according to Carfax.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7385551-carfax-unfixed-recall-data/
More than 15,000 injuries involving holiday decorating resulted in emergency room visits in 2012, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 230 home fires each season involving Christmas trees.
In light of these statistics, UL, a global safety science leader, is sharing tips about tree safety, decorating safety and home entertaining safety during the holiday season, including ways that consumers can safeguard their homes and loved ones.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7394851-ul-safe-holiday-celebration-home-tips/
The Allstate Foundation and singer Austin Mahone are challenging teens to #GetThereSafe during Global Youth Traffic Safety Month this May and throughout the summer, the deadliest season for young drivers on the road. Starting today through August 8, teens across the country will have a chance to show where and how they get there safely by entering the #GetThereSafe Challenge. The winning high school will be determined by a random drawing and will receive a meet and greet with Austin in the fall.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/7136251-allstate-foundation-austin-mahone-teen-safe-driving-psa
To help kick off National Emergency Preparedness month, Primrose Schools is teaming up with national partner Save the Children on a nine-week series aimed at equipping families with tools so they can better prepare for the unexpected. The interactive program features engaging resources, activities and videos on Primrose Schools’ 360 Parenting blog that ultimately lead parents through a simple, step-by-step process to create their own family emergency plans.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7437952-primrose-save-the-children-preparedness/
The National Limousine Association (NLA) and When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation (WGS) join forces on The Aspire Initiative, a domestic violence program, which aims to reduce the level of intimate relationship violence in the US and instill the importance of bystander responsibility. With an escalating number of passenger assaults alleged against ride-hailing app drivers, the NLA believes Aspire is vital to ending violence and sexual assault. Robin McGraw announced the partnership in a video message posted to her Foundation’s Facebook timeline on Friday, November 20th. The message was then shared by Robin’s husband and television personality Dr. Phil McGraw to his show’s Facebook page timeline on Monday, November 23rd.
The Aspire Initiative is available free of charge and includes a potentially-lifesaving smartphone app, Aspire News, a smartphone app available as a free download on Google Play, as well as at www.whengeorgiasmiled.org, that allows the user to create a pre-written text or voice message to be sent to designated numbers (i.e., 911 or other chosen contacts) with just the tap of a button. The ignition of the app‘s “go button” also starts a recording to capture the details of the domestic violence encounter and/or other dangerous events taking place. Aspire News is designed to appear like any other smart phone app to the untrained eye, allowing it to be downloaded and used discreetly.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7430253-nla-wgs-the-aspire-initiative/
Watch this video from NRMA, for top tips on how car drivers can safely share the roads with motorcyclists.
NRMA offer comprehensive car and motorcycle insurance, providing you with cover for your bike or car against accidental damage, collusion and crashes.
In NSW, lane filtering became legal as of 1st July 2014. In heavy traffic on multi-lane roads, riders often filter between the lanes. It can be an efficient way to for cars and motorcycles to share the roads.
Accidents happen and if you drive a vehicle on the road, whether it is a car or motorcycle, then NRMA car or motorcycle insurance could cover someone else’s property and your vehicle.
Get a motorcycle or car insurance quote from NRMA today.
http://www.nrma.com.au/motorcycle-insurance
When IIHS began its booster seat ratings in 2008, most models failed to consistently provide good belt fit — the main purpose of a booster. This year, all new models evaluated by the Institute provide good or acceptable fit for typical 4 to 8 year-olds in most cars, minivans or SUVs.
Out of 23 new models evaluated, 20 earn the highest rating of BEST BET, meaning they are likely to provide good fit for a 4- to 8-year-old child in almost any car, minivan or SUV. Another three models are rated GOOD BETs, meaning they provide acceptable fit in most vehicles. There are no new models in the Not Recommended category, nor are there any with the Check Fit designation, which identifies seats that may work for some children in some vehicles.
Buckling precious cargo into a late-model vehicle has gotten a bit easier in the past year, the Institute’s LATCH ease-of-use ratings show.
IIHS launched its ratings of child seat installation hardware in vehicles in June 2015. Out of 102 vehicles rated at that time, the majority were poor or marginal. Today, a total of 170 current models have been evaluated, and most are good or acceptable. Three models — the Audi Q7, Lexus RX and Toyota Prius — earn the top rating of good+, a distinction that no vehicle achieved last year.
A properly installed, age-appropriate child restraint can protect a child much better in a crash than a safety belt alone. LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is intended to make it easier for caregivers to install child restraints properly. Child restraints installed with LATCH are more likely to be put in correctly than restraints installed using the vehicle safety belt, IIHS research has shown.
Even with LATCH, installation errors are common. The Institute’s ratings are based on key ease-of-use criteria that have been shown to minimize mistakes.
The latest booster seat ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that child seat manufacturers have mastered something that once eluded them: building a seat that provides good safety belt fit for the typical 4-¬ to 8-¬year-¬old passenger.
Out of 53 new models evaluated, 48 earn the top rating of BEST BET, meaning they are likely to provide good belt fit for a 4 to 8 year-¬old in almost any car, minivan or SUV. When the Institute first began rating boosters in 2008, only a quarter of the seats evaluated earned the BEST BET designation.
September is National Childhood Obesity Month. To help young people make healthy dietary choices, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages kids to Read the Label!
The Nutrition Facts label is a simple tool available on food and beverage packages. It lets kids know exactly what they’re eating and helps them choose and compare snacks and other foods. The earlier kids start using the Nutrition Facts label, the sooner they’ll be making choices that keep them feeling great and on the path to long-term good health!
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770751-fda-national-childhood-obesity-month/
For six weeks this spring, America’s PrepareAthon! and other preparedness partners will focus on different hazards and provide simple actions that people and communities should take to prepare for each particular hazard.
This sixth week highlights extreme heat. Individuals, communities, businesses, schools, and houses of worship around the country are holding preparedness discussions, conducting drills, and taking specific steps to prepare for extreme heat.
America’s PrepareAthon!SM is a grassroots, community-based campaign for action to get families, organizations, and entire communities better prepared for extreme heat and other emergencies.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7770531-fema-national-prepareathon/
