Topic: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

In Gear Small SUVs fail crash test. Is yours on the list?

Eleven of 13 popular small SUVs tested receive marginal or poor ratings for a front-end collision. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which conducted the tests, calls the results 'troubling.' 

Texting and driving: Cell rivals join campaign about dangers of own product

Cell phone companies are banding together in an ad campaign that aims to educate teens and adults on the dangers of texting and driving. 

Deaths of teen drivers increase, reversing decade decline

Deaths of teen drivers increased during the first six months of 2012, a new study says. Deaths of teen drivers had been declining since 2000.

In Gear Are cheap cars safer than expensive ones?

Cheaper midsize cars do a better job in deadly head-on collisions than many luxury and near luxury midsize cars, according to crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

In Gear Smaller car? Bigger insurance claim.

Even with the vast improvements in auto safety over the past few decades, smaller cars still lead to significantly more insurance payouts than their larger counterparts.

Opinion: Inconvenient truths to a ban on texting while driving

In Ohio, heated debate accompanied the move to ban texting while driving. That surprised me. Who could oppose such a thing? Ah, but then the law of unintended consequences put a whole new light on the controversy.

Progress Watch Why teen driving deaths have tumbled to historic lows

Traffic fatalities are hitting record lows for all drivers, but the drop among teen drivers is especially important, given that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teens.

Look ma, no helmet! Michigan repeals helmet law for motorcyclists.

The repeal of Michigan's helmet law for motorcyclists Friday could bring millions in motorcycle-tourist dollars to the state, advocates say. Critics say it will raise health-care costs. 

Top 12 best cars for the money

Consumer confidence may be rising, but it still makes sense to watch every penny – especially with big purchases, like a new car. Although auto sales perked up in 2011, value is still the name of the game. U.S. News Best Cars spent months analyzing thousands of professional reviews, as well as reliability and safety data, to create the 2012 Best Cars for the Money Awards. Here are the 12 most highly praised low-cost, low-maintenance models for 2012:

NTSB begs states to ban driver cellphone use. Where do they stand now?

The NTSB urged a cell phone ban for drivers Tuesday. But some states only have minimal rules on electronic devices in cars, and debate continues over safety of hands-free talking.

Hybrid cars safer – and more dangerous

Hybrid cars: Occupants have fewer injuries in crashes than passengers in conventional cars, new study says. But hybrid cars cause more pedestrian accidents.

2011 safest cars announced: Is your dream car a top pick?

A total of 66 cars were designated the 2011 safest cars, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced Wednesday. They include 40 cars, 25 SUVs, and one minivan, which “do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes,” the institute says. Here are the 2011 safest cars, listed alphabetically by automaker. Did your dream car make the cut?

Bans on texting while driving don't reduce crashes, study says

Few dispute that texting while driving is risky. But the usual solution – laws banning behind-the-wheel texting – has not made a dent in the number of car crashes, according to new safety findings.

Texting caused total 'distracted driving' deaths to rise, study finds

If not for texting behind the wheel, the number of deaths from 'distracted driving' would have dropped each year from 2002 to 2007, according to a study released Thursday.

Car booster seats rated, can insure safety for kids

Car booster seats have made strides in ensuring a proper fit for children in the back seat, according to a review by the insurance industry.

Escalade most likely to be stolen, according to report

Escalade, from Cadillac, is voted most likely to be stolen, according to an insurance industry group. Four other car and truck models join the Escalade in this inauspicious group.

Illinois considers bill banning red-light cameras

Cities from Heath, Ohio, to College Station, Texas, have banned red-light cameras, as detractors argue that the safety measure actually causes accidents and is merely a revenue-generator. Now, Illinois is considering a bill that would make it the fifth state to do away with the cameras.

Texting while driving: the new drunk driving

Texting and driving – and gadgets like iPods and GPS devices – are a public safety epidemic.

Like Maria Shriver, many Californians break cellphone ban

California's first lady was filmed thrice talking on a handheld phone while driving. State highway patrol's cellphone citations are up from last year.

Make way for the micro mobiles

US automakers think small in a downsized economy.

Are bigger cars safer?

USA

‘Smart’ cars: How green? How safe?

The tiny cars make sense for the city, critics concur, but they may not be a great bargain.

USA

All revved up: a teen's first set of wheels

Big or small? Used or new? Who pays for gas? So many decisions to make about teens' cars.