Automobile accidents happen all too frequently and can\u00a0 have devastating effects on the passengers who are involved. Fortunately though, advances in safety features help to lessen the number of fatalities and the severity of these accidents.\u00a0 With every year that passes, automobile manufacturers add safety features to their vehicles with the hopes that they will help lower the number of injuries and fatalities.
\nThrough government regulation and the formation of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 1970, safety became a priority for all cars being sold in the United States. Manufacturers were required to meet these standards in order to be in compliance.
\nSome of the safety features that became mandatory include:
\n\u2022\u00a01964 Front seat belts became required equipment
\n\u2022\u00a01966 Padded dashboard, front and rear seat belts and back up lights
\n\u2022\u00a01968 Collapsible seat belts, side marker lights, front shoulder belts
\n\u2022\u00a01969 Front head restraints
\n\u2022\u00a01986 Third brake light in rear of car
\n\u2022\u00a01998 Front passenger airbags
\nSome additional\u00a0 features that became standard equipment over the years were windshield wipers, rear window defrosters, bumpers that can withstand front and rear impact, fuel tanks that are able to withstand impact without exploding, front and rear brakes, and shatterproof windshield glass.
\nWe continue to see more safety features being added. They include back up cameras, blind spot detectors and sensors to alert drivers of drifting into another lane.
\nEach state also has regulations that require motor vehicle to be inspected every year for safety compliance. Tires, brakes, emissions, lights and mechanical equipment is checked to determine if the vehicle is road worthy. If the vehicle does not pass the inspection the owner is advised of the repairs that need to be made before they can renew their registration.\u00a0 The purpose of this is to ensure that each motor vehicle on the road is safe to be operated.<\/p>\n
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Automobile accidents happen all too frequently and can\u00a0 have devastating effects on the passengers who are involved. Fortunately though, advances in safety features help to lessen the number of fatalities and the severity of these accidents.\u00a0 With every year that … Continue reading