Automakers Brag About Safety, But Who Puts Their Money Where Their Mouth Is?

Who objects to safety? No one. But all this safety talk about self-driving cars got me thinking. What is safety? And does anyone really care? You certainly can't trust Department of Transportation boss Elaine Chao. She doesn't know the SAE Automation Levels, and actually stated that self-driving cars are on the road right now. How about the self-driving lobby? Please. $80 billion-plus has been invested in self-driving so far, but they won't make a real dent in road deaths for decades. Mobility experts? Where were they before self-driving became a thing? Nowhere, because before 2015 "safety" didn't get you a TED Talk and a consulting gig.
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mre30 - 6/13/2018 3:23:44 PM

0 Boost

I feel invincible in my MB S550 but the truth of the matter is, if you look at the window stickers of large, premium cars - S550, A8, 7-Series, Bentleys and RR's - they have not been officially crash tested and there are "N/A" where the scores would be on the window sticker of the lowest spec Toyota Camry.

I imagine I'm pretty safe in my S-Class but don't really know how safe.

MDaringer1 - 6/13/2018 6:52:56 PM

0 Boost

Mazda

garysandiego - 6/14/2018 10:02:40 PM

+1 Boost

Are you serious Matt? Not challenging you, but just asking if you're being ironic. My eldest daughter will be driving in about two years, so...

TomM - 6/14/2018 11:48:49 AM

+1 Boost

Actually - the manufacturers put MORE money into passing the IHS lab crash tests - than they do for crashes that actually happen in real life. It is a shame that the insurance industry forces this FARCE - since as I have repeatedly said - I have asked for comparable tests to show if a car that does well in the IHS tests is safer in real life - BUT NO SUCH studies or results have EVERY been presented to the Public.

So - now - If you regularly drive your car in IHS closed circuit testing - you are probably safer in a higher rated car (ALthough that is NOT assumable either) - However - IF you - as I do - drive cars in the actual real world - you are better off with a real Hummer!

MrEE - 6/15/2018 7:14:38 PM

+1 Boost

There are regular reports on fatalities by vehicle models. Headlines are like Prius twice as safe as Suburban. Problem with these statistics is the demographics of the model owners is the primary factor.