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Consumers often rely on government and independent crash tests when they are purchasing a vehicle. They compare the crash performance of one vehicle vs. another vehicle in making their decisions. However, crash tests are conducted at speeds as low as 35 mph. They do not reflect the added risk and danger of real-world road conditions.

Consumer Reports says that cars may earn a top score of “Good” in crash tests conducted at 40 mph by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an insurance-funded research and advocacy group, and would earn a “Poor” rating if those same tests were done at 50 mph.

“But that doesn’t mean that simply testing cars at higher speeds is the solution,” says Joe Young, a spokesperson for IIHS. "At first glance, increasing crash-test speeds sounds like a good way to improve design, but it actually could have unintended consequences," Young says. "Stiffer structures required to perform well at higher speeds might actually make lower-speed crashes more dangerous since crumple zones wouldn't engage as well."

Nor does IIHS argue that speeds on highways be lowered to 40 mph. That’s because other factors come into play when an actual crash takes place, Young says. “In the real world, you may have time to apply the brakes, or you might strike a vehicle from behind that is moving in the same direction, or you may strike something that weighs less than your vehicle,” he explains. “All of these things impact how much energy is involved in the crash.”

Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at Consumer Report’s Auto Test Center says, “In addition, advanced safety systems such as forward-collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (LDW), and blind-spot warning (BSW) can help prevent crashes from happening in the first place, or at least reduce crash speeds.”

According to Director Stockburger, a study authored by researchers from IIHS, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, and Humanetics, a manufacturer of crash-test dummies shows “…that speed has a significant effect on the level of injury vehicle occupants may sustain. So even if these systems can’t prevent the crash entirely, if they are successful in promoting an earlier reaction from the driver or vehicle that reduces the speed of the vehicle at the time of impact, they will provide benefits.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that speeds have increased 22 percent on average in some cities since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic even though Americans are driving less. Fatalities are up with 1.25 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled for the first half of 2020, up from 1.06 for the first half of 2019.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident because of the negligence of another, please contact our experienced Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney Randall Spivey at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. after seeking medical attention. We are available to assist you 24/7, and there are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you. Although losses in an accident can be immeasurable in terms of dollars and cents, financial compensation can help ease the blow of medical bills and lost income. Not having to worry about financial stresses may help you focus your efforts on the recovery process. Given the importance of obtaining necessary compensation in this type of situation, finding an attorney with extensive experience in handling these matters can be essential to bringing a successful personal injury, motor vehicle, or wrongful death claim.

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one percent (1%) of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County at 239.793.7748.