IIHS Reports That Bumpers Aren't Up To The Task

As much as we like to think our modern cars are getting better and safer, apparently they can't beat an old Escort when it comes to low-speed collision damage. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) just released a report detailing their latest test results for the bumpers of midsize cars. More specifically, they tested how their bumpers held up to low-speed 3 and 6 mph impacts. "Most bumpers on midsize cars do little to resist damage in the kinds of low-speed collisions that are common in commuter traffic and parking lots," is how the report begins. And it only gets worse from there. Out of the 17 cars tested, only three managed to stay under the $1500 level for each of the four impact tests the agency conducted. "Our tests measure how well bumpers protect cars from damage in everyday bumps," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "The whole purpose of bumpers is to keep damage away from headlights, hoods, and other parts that are expensive to repair, but this purpose was accomplished in only two of the 68 tests we conducted. In the rest, what we found is that bumpers aren't up to the job."
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quizz - 3/2/2007 1:19:46 PM

+1 Boost

So, the research will result in increased insurance premiums for certain car models over others. However, since most of us are sports car afficionados, those streamlined bumpers were never intended to protect anything.

rom64 - 3/2/2007 6:09:50 PM

+1 Boost

From what I remember hearing about is that the bumper standards have been lower due to pedestrian safety issues and in the near future will meet stricter regulations. Bumpers are now seen as a safety liability to pedestrians and are less rigid and more sensitive in order to protect people on the street from pedestrian-car accidents.

chewy - 3/5/2007 1:41:05 AM

+1 Boost

Yes, European cars have front ends designed to meat European pedestrian protection standards.

mstangpny07 - 3/3/2007 12:16:59 AM

+1 Boost

re re re repost! ;)