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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI) operates as a non-profit entity dedicated to vehicle safety, not marketing.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI) is an American non-profit organization committed to the reduction of fatalities, injuries, and property damage stemming from motor vehicle collisions. It is recognized for its stringent safety evaluations of vehicles conducted under simulated traffic conditions.
The IIHS was established in 1959, not by a single automotive manufacturer's association, but by three casualty and automotive insurance groups.
Answer: True
Explanation: The IIHS was founded in 1959 by three separate insurance groups: the Association of Casualty and Surety Companies, the National Association of Automotive Mutual Insurance Companies, and the National Association of Independent Insurers. Its initial purpose was to serve as a supporting entity for academic and research organizations focused on highway safety.
Russell Brown served as the initial president of the IIHS until 1968; crash testing commenced under his successor, William Haddon Jr., in 1969.
Answer: True
Explanation: Russell Brown served as the inaugural president of the IIHS until 1968. Following a change to an independent scientific organization, Physician William Haddon Jr. assumed the presidency in 1969, and the IIHS began conducting crash tests that year, starting with low-speed bumper tests.
The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) was established in 1972, subsequent to the IIHS, specifically to compile and disseminate vehicle insurance loss statistics.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) was founded in 1972 as a supporting organization to the IIHS. Its primary function is to compile and publish insurance loss statistics related to traffic collisions and the resulting damages, categorized by vehicle type.
What is the primary mission of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)?
Answer: To reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes.
Explanation: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI) functions as an American non-profit organization committed to the reduction of fatalities, injuries, and property damage stemming from motor vehicle collisions. It is recognized for its stringent safety evaluations of vehicles conducted under simulated traffic conditions.
Which organizations were instrumental in the founding of the IIHS in 1959?
Answer: Three separate casualty and automotive insurance groups.
Explanation: The IIHS was founded in 1959 by three separate insurance groups: the Association of Casualty and Surety Companies, the National Association of Automotive Mutual Insurance Companies, and the National Association of Independent Insurers. Its initial purpose was to serve as a supporting entity for academic and research organizations focused on highway safety.
Who served as the first president of the IIHS, and when did the organization commence crash testing?
Answer: William Haddon Jr.
Explanation: Russell Brown served as the inaugural president of the IIHS until 1968. Following a change to an independent scientific organization, Physician William Haddon Jr. assumed the presidency in 1969, and the IIHS began conducting crash tests that year, starting with low-speed bumper tests.
What is the specific function of the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI)?
Answer: To compile and publish insurance loss statistics related to vehicle damage.
Explanation: The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) was founded in 1972 as a supporting organization to the IIHS. Its primary function is to compile and publish insurance loss statistics related to traffic collisions and the resulting damages, categorized by vehicle type.
The IIHS moderate overlap frontal test does not involve 100% of the vehicle's front striking a barrier head-on; rather, it simulates a partial, offset impact.
Answer: True
Explanation: The IIHS moderate overlap frontal test involves 40% of the front of the vehicle impacting a deformable barrier at approximately 40 mph (64 km/h). This specific type of offset impact represents a small fraction of all car crashes but is equivalent to a vehicle hitting a parked car at a much higher speed, around 75 mph (121 km/h).
The IIHS moderate overlap frontal test involves a 40% overlap impact with a deformable barrier at approximately 40 mph (64 km/h).
Answer: True
Explanation: In the moderate overlap frontal test, 40% of the front of the vehicle impacts a deformable barrier at approximately 40 mph (64 km/h). This specific type of offset impact represents a small fraction of all car crashes but is equivalent to a vehicle hitting a parked car at a much higher speed, around 75 mph (121 km/h).
The IIHS does not consider vehicles of different weights directly comparable in frontal impact tests, as heavier vehicles inherently possess an advantage in collision dynamics.
Answer: True
Explanation: Vehicles across different weight categories are not directly comparable in IIHS frontal impact tests because heavier vehicles generally have an advantage in collisions with lighter vehicles or in single-vehicle crashes. This was demonstrated when three minicars were rated 'Poor' against three midsize cars that received 'Good' or 'Acceptable' ratings in special offset head-on tests.
The IIHS updated its moderate overlap test in December 2022 to include assessment of rear seat occupant safety, not front seat occupants only.
Answer: True
Explanation: In December 2022, the IIHS updated the moderate overlap test to include a second crash test dummy in the rear passenger seat. This change aimed to assess the effectiveness of seat belt protections for rear occupants, similar to those already evaluated for front passengers.
Following the 2022 update to the moderate overlap test, the IIHS found that many small SUVs performed poorly in protecting rear passengers, often resulting in high injury measurements.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the update to include rear passenger safety, nine out of fifteen small SUVs tested received an overall 'Poor' rating due to high injury measurements to the head, neck, and chest of the rear dummy, indicating a need for improved rear seat belt systems.
The IIHS small overlap frontal test, introduced in 2012, is considered more demanding than the moderate overlap test due to its greater offset and impact severity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The small overlap frontal test was introduced by the IIHS on August 14, 2012. It is more demanding than the moderate overlap test because it impacts only 25% of the vehicle's front end against a solid barrier at 40 mph, placing greater stress on the vehicle's structure.
Small-overlap collisions are statistically significant, accounting for approximately 25% of frontal crash deaths, not less than 5%.
Answer: True
Explanation: A study by the Medical College of Wisconsin found that small-overlap collisions can lead to increased injuries to the head, chest, spine, hip, and pelvis. The IIHS notes that these types of crashes account for 25% of frontal crash deaths, often initiated by the outer front wheel impacting the barrier.
The IIHS commenced testing the passenger side in small overlap frontal tests in 2017.
Answer: True
Explanation: The IIHS began conducting the small overlap frontal test on the passenger side of vehicles in 2017.
The IIHS's 50th Anniversary crash test in 2009 compared a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air with a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu to demonstrate advancements in automotive safety.
Answer: True
Explanation: The IIHS conducted a 50th-anniversary crash test in 2009, pitting a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air against a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu in a 40% offset crash at 40 mph. The test aimed to dramatically illustrate the advancements in automotive safety over five decades.
The 50th Anniversary crash test revealed that the 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air offered significantly inferior protection compared to the 2009 Malibu, due to the lack of modern safety features.
Answer: True
Explanation: The crash test showed that the 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air's occupant compartment was severely damaged, and the lack of modern safety features like airbags and seat belts resulted in crash test dummy forces that would likely have been fatal for a real driver. In contrast, the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu benefited from sophisticated engineering and high-strength steel, providing a significant safety advantage.
How does the IIHS moderate overlap frontal test fundamentally differ from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests?
Answer: The IIHS test is offset (40% overlap), while NHTSA focuses on head-on impacts.
Explanation: The IIHS's moderate overlap test, introduced in 1995, differs from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) because the IIHS test is offset. While NHTSA standards focus on head-on impacts, the IIHS test involves only 40% of the vehicle's front striking a deformable barrier.
Why does the IIHS assert that vehicles of differing weights are not directly comparable in frontal impact tests?
Answer: Heavier vehicles inherently possess an advantage in collisions.
Explanation: Vehicles across different weight categories are not directly comparable in IIHS frontal impact tests because heavier vehicles generally have an advantage in collisions with lighter vehicles or in single-vehicle crashes. This was demonstrated when three minicars were rated 'Poor' against three midsize cars that received 'Good' or 'Acceptable' ratings in special offset head-on tests.
What significant modification was implemented in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal test in December 2022?
Answer: A second crash test dummy was added to the rear seat.
Explanation: In December 2022, the IIHS updated the moderate overlap test to include a second crash test dummy in the rear passenger seat. This change aimed to assess the effectiveness of seat belt protections for rear occupants, similar to those already evaluated for front passengers.
What was a key finding subsequent to the IIHS updating its moderate overlap test to incorporate rear passenger safety?
Answer: Many small SUVs showed high injury measurements for rear dummies, leading to 'Poor' ratings.
Explanation: Following the update to include rear passenger safety, nine out of fifteen small SUVs tested received an overall 'Poor' rating due to high injury measurements to the head, neck, and chest of the rear dummy, indicating a need for improved rear seat belt systems.
Which characteristic renders the IIHS small overlap frontal test more challenging than the moderate overlap test?
Answer: It impacts only 25% of the vehicle's front end.
Explanation: The small overlap frontal test was introduced by the IIHS on August 14, 2012. It is more demanding than the moderate overlap test because it impacts only 25% of the vehicle's front end against a solid barrier at 40 mph, placing greater stress on the vehicle's structure.
What significant injury risk associated with small-overlap collisions is identified in the source material?
Answer: Increased injuries to the head, chest, spine, hip, and pelvis.
Explanation: A study by the Medical College of Wisconsin found that small-overlap collisions can lead to increased injuries to the head, chest, spine, hip, and pelvis. The IIHS notes that these types of crashes account for 25% of frontal crash deaths, often initiated by the outer front wheel impacting the barrier.
In what year did the IIHS commence conducting the small overlap frontal test on the passenger side of vehicles?
Answer: 2017
Explanation: The IIHS began conducting the small overlap frontal test on the passenger side of vehicles in 2017.
What was the principal objective of the IIHS's 50th Anniversary crash test conducted in 2009?
Answer: To compare the safety performance of a 1959 car versus a 2009 car.
Explanation: The IIHS conducted a 50th-anniversary crash test in 2009, pitting a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air against a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu in a 40% offset crash at 40 mph. The test aimed to dramatically illustrate the advancements in automotive safety over five decades.
The IIHS side impact test simulates being struck by a high-riding pickup truck or SUV, not a small car at high speed.
Answer: True
Explanation: Introduced in 2003, the IIHS side impact test involves a stationary test vehicle being struck on the side by a four-wheeled sled with a deformable barrier at 31 mph (50 km/h). This test is designed to simulate the impact of a high-riding pickup truck or SUV striking the subject vehicle.
The IIHS modified its side impact test, with changes implemented starting in 2021, by increasing the impact speed and utilizing a heavier sled and altered barrier design.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2019, the IIHS modified its side impact test by using a heavier sled, altering the barrier design, and increasing the impact speed from 31 mph to 37 mph (60 km/h). The IIHS cited the original test's lack of realism as the reason for these changes, which officially began in 2021.
Results from the updated IIHS side impact tests indicated that many small SUVs performed poorly in protecting rear passengers, often resulting in high injury measurements.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the new, tougher side impact tests, only one out of 20 small SUVs received a 'Good' rating. For midsize SUVs tested in May 2022, ten earned 'Good' ratings, two received 'Acceptable' ratings, and six were rated 'Marginal'.
Rollover crashes account for a significant portion, approximately 25%, of U.S. passenger vehicle fatalities, not a small fraction less than 5%.
Answer: True
Explanation: Rollovers accounted for nearly 25% of passenger vehicle fatalities in the United States. Features such as electronic stability control are proven to significantly reduce rollovers, while lane departure warning systems and rollover-sensing side curtain airbags can also help minimize injuries.
For the roof strength test, a vehicle's roof must withstand a force equivalent to at least four times its curb weight before collapsing 5 inches to achieve the highest rating.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the roof strength test, a vehicle is positioned on a platform, and a hydraulic metal plate diagonally pushes on the roof area above the side windows. To achieve the highest rating, the vehicle's roof must withstand a force equivalent to at least four times its curb weight before collapsing 5 inches (130 mm).
The IIHS roof strength test was discontinued in 2022.
Answer: True
Explanation: The IIHS roof strength test was discontinued in 2022.
The IIHS head restraint evaluation test assesses protection against whiplash injuries sustained in rear-end collisions, not frontal collisions.
Answer: True
Explanation: The head restraint evaluation test assesses the effectiveness of a vehicle's driver seat head restraints by simulating rear-end collisions. The driver's seat is placed on a sled that mimics impacts at 20 mph, which are common and can lead to whiplash injuries.
The IIHS head restraint evaluation test was discontinued in 2022.
Answer: True
Explanation: The head restraint evaluation test was discontinued by the IIHS in 2022.
What type of vehicular impact does the IIHS side impact test primarily endeavor to simulate?
Answer: Being struck on the side by a high-riding pickup truck or SUV.
Explanation: Introduced in 2003, the IIHS side impact test involves a stationary test vehicle being struck on the side by a four-wheeled sled with a deformable barrier at 31 mph (50 km/h). This test is designed to simulate the impact of a high-riding pickup truck or SUV striking the subject vehicle.
What were the principal modifications implemented in the IIHS side impact test commencing in 2021?
Answer: Increased impact speed, heavier sled, and altered barrier design.
Explanation: In 2019, the IIHS modified its side impact test by using a heavier sled, altering the barrier design, and increasing the impact speed from 31 mph to 37 mph (60 km/h). The IIHS cited the original test's lack of realism as the reason for these changes, which officially began in 2021.
What was a notable finding resulting from the IIHS's updated side impact tests concerning small SUVs?
Answer: Only one out of twenty small SUVs earned a 'Good' rating.
Explanation: In the new, tougher side impact tests, only one out of 20 small SUVs received a 'Good' rating. For midsize SUVs tested in May 2022, ten earned 'Good' ratings, two received 'Acceptable' ratings, and six were rated 'Marginal'.
Electronic stability control is cited as a safety feature that substantially mitigates the risk of which type of vehicular crash?
Answer: Rollovers
Explanation: Rollovers accounted for nearly 25% of passenger vehicle fatalities in the United States. Features such as electronic stability control are proven to significantly reduce rollovers, while lane departure warning systems and rollover-sensing side curtain airbags can also help minimize injuries.
What is the criterion for achieving the highest rating in the IIHS roof strength test?
Answer: The roof must withstand a force equal to four times its curb weight before collapsing 5 inches.
Explanation: In the roof strength test, a vehicle is positioned on a platform, and a hydraulic metal plate diagonally pushes on the roof area above the side windows. To achieve the highest rating, the vehicle's roof must withstand a force equivalent to at least four times its curb weight before collapsing 5 inches (130 mm).
Which of the following IIHS tests were discontinued in the year 2022?
Answer: Roof strength test and head restraint evaluation.
Explanation: The IIHS roof strength test was discontinued in 2022. The head restraint evaluation test was also discontinued by the IIHS in 2022.
The IIHS head restraint evaluation test is designed to assess the risk of which category of injury?
Answer: Whiplash injuries from rear-end collisions.
Explanation: The head restraint evaluation test assesses the effectiveness of a vehicle's driver seat head restraints by simulating rear-end collisions. The driver's seat is placed on a sled that mimics impacts at 20 mph, which are common and can lead to whiplash injuries.
In the original IIHS vehicle-to-vehicle frontal collision avoidance test, vehicles were evaluated at speeds of 12 mph and 25 mph.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the original vehicle-to-vehicle test, an engineer drove a test car toward a rolling, cushioned box simulating another car. Ratings of 'basic', 'advanced', or 'superior' were awarded based on whether the vehicle's front crash prevention system met government criteria and could reduce speed or avoid collisions at 12 mph and 25 mph.
The original IIHS vehicle-to-vehicle frontal collision avoidance test is no longer actively used by the IIHS, having been replaced by updated protocols.
Answer: True
Explanation: The original vehicle-to-vehicle frontal collision avoidance test was discontinued by the IIHS in 2022.
The current IIHS vehicle-to-vehicle frontal collision avoidance test evaluates performance against targets simulating trucks, cars, and motorcycles.
Answer: True
Explanation: In the current vehicle-to-vehicle test, an engineer drives the test car at speeds of 31, 37, and 43 mph toward various targets: a semitrailer, an impactable car, or a motorcycle. Points are awarded based on the timeliness of collision warnings and the extent to which the vehicle slows down or maneuvers to avoid the collision.
The IIHS vehicle-to-pedestrian test assesses multiple scenarios, including pedestrians walking parallel to traffic, an adult crossing perpendicularly, and a child darting out.
Answer: True
Explanation: The IIHS vehicle-to-pedestrian test includes three scenarios: an adult walking perpendicular to traffic, a child darting out from behind parked vehicles, and an adult walking parallel to traffic. Each scenario is tested at two different speeds to assess the vehicle's autobraking capabilities.
The highest speed tested in the IIHS vehicle-to-pedestrian test for a child darting out scenario is 25 mph; 37 mph is used for an adult walking parallel.
Answer: True
Explanation: For the first scenario (adult walking perpendicular), speeds are 12 mph and 25 mph. For the second scenario (child darting out), speeds are also 12 mph and 25 mph. For the third scenario (adult walking parallel), speeds are 25 mph and 37 mph.
When the IIHS began evaluating headlight performance in 2016, most family cars received 'Marginal' or 'Poor' ratings, not 'Good'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The IIHS began releasing ratings for headlight performance in March 2016. Initial tests on family cars revealed that most earned 'Marginal' or 'Poor' ratings, with only the Toyota Prius V (when equipped with specific headlights) receiving a 'Good' rating.
In the IIHS October 2016 evaluation of pickup trucks, the Honda Ridgeline was the only model to earn a 'Good' rating for its headlights when equipped with specific options.
Answer: True
Explanation: In July 2016, the IIHS found that none of the tested small SUVs earned a 'Good' rating for headlight performance. Later, in October 2016, the Honda Ridgeline was the only pickup truck to receive a 'Good' rating for its headlights when equipped with specific options.
Which IIHS test involves operating a test vehicle towards targets simulating a semitrailer, car, or motorcycle at varying velocities?
Answer: Vehicle-to-vehicle frontal collision avoidance test
Explanation: In the current vehicle-to-vehicle test, an engineer drives the test car at speeds of 31, 37, and 43 mph toward various targets: a semitrailer, an impactable car, or a motorcycle. Points are awarded based on the timeliness of collision warnings and the extent to which the vehicle slows down or maneuvers to avoid the collision.
What is the maximum speed employed in the IIHS vehicle-to-pedestrian test scenario involving an adult walking parallel to traffic?
Answer: 37 mph
Explanation: For the first scenario (adult walking perpendicular), speeds are 12 mph and 25 mph. For the second scenario (child darting out), speeds are also 12 mph and 25 mph. For the third scenario (adult walking parallel), speeds are 25 mph and 37 mph.
What common finding emerged regarding headlight performance during the initial IIHS evaluations commencing in 2016?
Answer: Most headlights received 'Marginal' or 'Poor' ratings.
Explanation: The IIHS began releasing ratings for headlight performance in March 2016. Initial tests on family cars revealed that most earned 'Marginal' or 'Poor' ratings, with only the Toyota Prius V (when equipped with specific headlights) receiving a 'Good' rating.
IIHS frontal crash tests evaluate vehicles across six distinct categories, assigning individual ratings that contribute to an overall frontal impact assessment, rather than a single derived rating.
Answer: True
Explanation: The IIHS evaluates vehicles across six individual categories in frontal crash tests, assigning each a rating of 'Good', 'Acceptable', 'Marginal', or 'Poor'. These individual ratings contribute to an overall frontal impact rating for the vehicle.
In the small overlap frontal test, the IIHS combines hip/thigh and lower leg/foot assessments into a single rating criterion, replacing individual leg ratings.
Answer: True
Explanation: For the small overlap frontal test, the IIHS rating system replaces individual leg ratings with combined hip/thigh and lower leg/foot assessments. Additionally, a vehicle cannot achieve a full score if the front and side curtain airbags do not deploy, due to the significant side movement often experienced in this type of crash.
The IIHS Top Safety Pick (TSP) award recognizes vehicles that meet stringent criteria across multiple crashworthiness and crash prevention evaluations, exceeding basic safety standards.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Top Safety Pick (TSP) is an annual award given by the IIHS to vehicles that demonstrate the best performance in crashworthiness and crash prevention. It recognizes vehicles that meet stringent safety criteria.
To qualify for the Top Safety Pick award as of February 2023, vehicles required 'Good' ratings in the moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, and the updated 2021 side test, along with acceptable or good headlights across all trims.
Answer: True
Explanation: As of February 2023, a vehicle must achieve 'Good' ratings in the moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, and the updated 2021 side test to qualify for the Top Safety Pick award. Additionally, headlights across all trims must be rated 'Good' or 'Acceptable'.
Headlight performance ratings were removed from the Top Safety Pick evaluation criteria in 2023 because nearly all tested vehicles were meeting the required standards, not because they were too difficult to achieve.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ratings for roof strength, head restraints, and vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention were removed from the overall Top Safety Pick evaluation in 2023. This change was made because nearly all tested vehicles were performing well in these specific categories.
The Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) award requires vehicles to demonstrate excellent performance in nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian crash tests, in addition to meeting all criteria for the Top Safety Pick award.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) award is given to vehicles that meet all the criteria for a Top Safety Pick and also perform well in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash test. This additional requirement addresses the challenges some crash prevention systems face in low-light conditions.
In the small overlap frontal test, what modification was made to the IIHS rating system concerning lower body protection?
Answer: Hip/thigh and lower leg/foot assessments were combined.
Explanation: For the small overlap frontal test, the IIHS rating system replaces individual leg ratings with combined hip/thigh and lower leg/foot assessments. Additionally, a vehicle cannot achieve a full score if the front and side curtain airbags do not deploy, due to the significant side movement often experienced in this type of crash.
Which of the following constitutes a requirement for the IIHS Top Safety Pick (TSP) award as stipulated for February 2023?
Answer: Headlights across all trims rated 'Good' or 'Acceptable'.
Explanation: As of February 2023, a vehicle must achieve 'Good' ratings in the moderate overlap front, driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, and the updated 2021 side test to qualify for the Top Safety Pick award. Additionally, headlights across all trims must be rated 'Good' or 'Acceptable'.
What distinguishes the Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) award from the standard Top Safety Pick (TSP) award?
Answer: TSP+ requires good performance in nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian tests.
Explanation: The Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) award is given to vehicles that meet all the criteria for a Top Safety Pick and also perform well in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash test. This additional requirement addresses the challenges some crash prevention systems face in low-light conditions.