Latest news with #IIHS
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Hyundai Motor Group Tops Rankings in 2025 IIHS Top Safety Awards
Hyundai Motor Group Earns 15 IIHS Top Safety Awards Across Hyundai, Kia and Genesis Brands Most TSP and TSP+ Ratings Among All Automotive Groups for Second Consecutive Year Recognized for Excellence in Rear Occupant Protection Under Stricter 2025 IIHS Criteria SEOUL, South Korea, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ -- Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) has reaffirmed its leadership in vehicle safety, achieving the highest number of models awarded in the 2025 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test evaluations. A total of 15 models across Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation and Genesis have earned either 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) or TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) designation. This includes seven Hyundai models, five Genesis models, and three Kia models, marking the second consecutive year the Group has received the most IIHS safety awards. In the latest round of evaluations, the 2025 Hyundai ELANTRA, SONATA and 2025 Kia K4, were awarded the coveted TSP+ rating, joining existing models such as the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, KONA, TUCSON, and SANTA FE; the Genesis GV60, Electrified GV70, GV70, GV80; and the 2025 Kia EV9 and Telluride. The 2025 Genesis G90 currently holds a TSP rating. The IIHS enhanced its crash test criteria for 2025, introducing more stringent requirements for second-row occupant protection. In the updated moderate overlap front test, dummies representing 12-year-old children or small female passengers are placed in the rear seats to assess injury risk more realistically. To qualify for a TSP+ rating, vehicles must now earn a "good" rating in this test, while a rating of "acceptable" is required for TSP. To earn a 2025 TSP or TSP+ rating, vehicles must also: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers and safety professionals. Its TSP and TSP+ ratings are widely cited in the North American auto industry by consumers, media and analysts alike.
Auto Blog
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
California's Driving Law Is Getting a Lot More Strict
Distracted driving is still an issue Let's be honest, you've probably done something like this before. You are out on a drive to work, going back home, to the grocery store, or wherever, and you hear the notification sound from your phone, which immediately gets your attention. Lo and behold, you're glancing at texts, scrolling through Outlook, or fumbling across tabs on a social media app when you're supposed to have your eyes on the road. 0:02 / 0:09 Nissan's revolutionary self-driving tech hits Japan's streets Watch More Despite in-car software like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto becoming a must-have item in everything from Kias to Rolls-Royces, smartphone-based distracted driving is still a problem out on the road. According to a 2023 survey of US drivers conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), over a fifth of drivers said that they engaged in at least one smartphone-based distracting activity while driving, including 'making video calls, watching videos or using social media, on most or all of their trips.' Source: Getty Images California is getting extra strict on distracted driving Although you may think there may be some situations where it is perfectly okay to hold your phone while driving, like looking at directions on a navigation application, a recent state appeals court decision in California will have you wrong. On June 3, the Court of Appeal of the State of California for the sixth appellate district ruled that a state law prohibiting the use of handheld cellphones while driving also applies when drivers are found to be holding phones running a navigation app like Apple Maps or Google Maps. The court ruled that while the driver doesn't need to be swiping or tapping on the screen, looking at the map with your phone in your hand is enough for a police officer to pull you over for a ticket. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Woman in car looking at smartphone — Source: Getty Images The Court of Appeals in the Golden State reached this decision in the case of a defendant named Nathaniel Gabriel Porter, who received a $158 ticket in Santa Clara County for holding his cellphone in one hand and looking at a mapping application while driving. Porter initially lost his ticket challenge in his first court appearance, but appealed the decision with the appellate division of the Santa Clara County Superior Court, which reversed the fine because it was determined then that he was technically not 'operating' a wireless telephone as stated in the state law. Court documents state that at the time, it was determined that Porter was holding and looking at the mapping application on the phone without 'active manipulation.' 'The court concluded 'there must be something equated to carrying out a function, actively using or manipulating the phone while holding and driving,' court documents read. 'This may include talking, listening, emailing, browsing the internet, playing video games, or otherwise engaging with the smartphone. Merely observing GPS directions on the phone does not constitute the kind of active use or manipulation to trigger an infraction under the statute.' Policeman asking a driver for identification — Source: Getty Images However, the California Court of Appeal for the Sixth Appellate District reversed that decision on June 3, concluding that the definition of the word 'operating' under the above law 'prohibits all use of a handheld phone's functions while driving, including looking at an application on the phone' and that 'allowing a driver to hold a phone and view a mapping application, even if not touching the phone's screen, would be contrary to the Legislature's intent in enacting [the law],' the court's decision read. Final thoughts Porter is still on the hook for the initial $158 traffic ticket, but this story shows that the state of California is clear in its vision to reduce distracted driving. The data about distracted driving is pretty straightforward. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 3,000 people in the U.S. were killed in 2022 due to distracted driving, with phone use being one of the leading culprits. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Tesla Autopilot Trust Crisis: Phantom Braking Fallout
Imagine cruising down the highway in your Tesla, sun glinting off the dash, when-without warning-your car slams the brakes at 70 mph. No obstacle, no alert, just a jolt that leaves your heart pounding. For thousands of Tesla owners in the U.S. and Australia, this isn't a hypothetical-it's a terrifying reality fueling a wave of lawsuits against the electric automaker. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) logged 758 complaints about Teslas suddenly decelerating for no reason on American highways (NHTSA ODI, 2022). Drivers describe their vehicles "slamming the brakes" out of nowhere, with one shaken owner telling reporters, "It just slammed the brakes". These aren't isolated glitches. U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis recently gave the green light to a class-action lawsuit, citing allegations that Tesla knowingly withheld warnings about this dangerous defect. Tesla's phantom braking woes aren't confined to the U.S. In Australia, 10,000 owners have joined a Federal Court class action, accusing Tesla of misleading claims about Autopilot's safety and reliability. Plaintiffs allege that even with hands on the wheel, their cars decelerate without cause, creating "rear-ender nightmares." One driver recounted a "scary ride" after nearly being hit by a truck when his Tesla braked unexpectedly. Tesla's Autopilot and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems are designed to protect, using radar and cameras to scan the road. But for many, these systems are "ghost-braking"-slamming on the brakes for hazards that aren't there. NHTSA's ongoing investigation (PE 22 002) is focused on 2021–22 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, with up to 416,000 cars potentially affected (NHTSA, 2022). For drivers, it's more than a glitch-it's a betrayal by the very technology meant to keep them safe. The U.S. lawsuit alleges Tesla knew about phantom braking complaints as early as 2015 but kept drivers in the dark-possibly to avoid recalls or regulatory scrutiny. Judge Alexakis allowed claims of fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment to proceed, cutting only insurance-related allegations. The central question: Did Tesla profit by selling a feature it knew could fail when drivers needed it most? Paying extra for Autopilot is supposed to buy peace of mind-a digital co-pilot watching your back. But every phantom brake erodes that trust, turning confidence into caution. As one owner put it, "It feels like abandonment by a digital co-pilot." For many, Autopilot's promise of safety now comes with a side of anxiety. Tesla isn't alone. Automakers like Mercedes, GM, and Ford are also racing to perfect driver-assist tech, but the stakes are high. A recent IIHS study found that many Level 2 systems struggle to keep drivers engaged and accountable (IIHS, 2024). In the world of EVs and automation, credibility is everything. Once lost, it's hard to win back. With lawsuits gaining steam on two continents and hundreds of thousands of drivers affected, the phantom braking crisis is forcing a reckoning. Is this just a feature failure or a breach of trust that could reshape how we view automation in our cars? At 70 mph, does your car still have your back or is it ready to slam the brakes without warning? Share your story below, and let's start a conversation about the future of trust in our vehicles. Have you experienced phantom braking in your Tesla or another car? Comment below or share this story with friends-because the next chapter in this saga may affect every driver on the road. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Insurance group approves first container chassis crash guard
A container chassis designed by Stoughton Trailers has received the first award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for protection against rear underride crashes. A rear underride guard is a metal frame attached to the back of a semitrailer to prevent passenger cars from sliding beneath the trailer in the event of a rear-end crash. Underride guards that meet IIHS's safety criteria are more likely than others to withstand an impact, reducing the severity of the crash. Wisconsin-based Stoughton had previously earned the award for its dry vans and refrigerated vans. Now the company's 53-foot intermodal chassis – which carry shipping containers directly transferred from ships or railcars – also meets IIHS's 'Toughguard' criteria, the insurance group announced on Thursday. 'We're excited about the commitment that Stoughton has shown to preventing underride crashes,' said IIHS President David Harkey in a statement. 'Improving the safety of commercial vehicles is a key part of our 30×30 strategy, which targets a 30% reduction in road fatalities by 2030.' IIHS pointed out that in 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration updated federal regulations governing rear underride protection on large trucks. However, 'the new rule remains far less stringent than the Toughguard requirements and is not expected to push manufacturers to improve,' IIHS contends. Stoughton was among the earliest trailer manufacturers to earn the group's Toughguard safety award for its dry vans and refrigerated trailers in 2017. To date, nine North American trailer manufacturers, including the eight largest, have earned the awards. NHTSA side underride analysis slammed by safety, insurance advocates Trump's NHTSA nominee raises concerns among truck safety advocates US chassis makers allege foreign dumping again Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post Insurance group approves first container chassis crash guard appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New trailer type gets strong underride guard
Stoughton extends IIHS-award-winning underride protection to container shipping ARLINGTON, Va., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Stoughton chassis designed for container transport is the first of its kind to qualify for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's TOUGHGUARD award for superior underride protection. Wisconsin-based Stoughton, a leading manufacturer of semitrailers, previously earned the award for its dry vans and refrigerated vans. Now the company's 53-foot intermodal chassis also meets the TOUGHGUARD criteria. The award applies to models built after April 2025. An intermodal chassis is a special type of trailer that can carry shipping containers directly transferred from ships or railcars. 'We're excited about the commitment that Stoughton has shown to preventing underride crashes,' IIHS President David Harkey said. 'Improving the safety of commercial vehicles is a key part of our 30x30 strategy, which targets a 30% reduction in road fatalities by 2030.' A rear underride guard is a metal frame attached to the back of a semitrailer to prevent lower-riding vehicles from sliding beneath the trailer in the event of a rear-end crash. All rear underride guards must meet federal safety standards. However, IIHS research and crash tests have shown that many can buckle or break off in a crash. Underride guards that meet the TOUGHGUARD criteria are substantially more likely to withstand an impact, reducing the severity of the crash. Until now, only dry van, refrigerated and flatbed trailers have qualified. But with the growing importance of shipping containers in global trade, more and more freight is being transported using intermodal chassis. Chassis-type trailers present a unique challenge when it comes to underride protection. The frame of a dry van, refrigerated or flatbed trailer extends across its entire wheelbase, supporting the underride guard for its full width. In contrast, an intermodal chassis is a ladder-like structure that lies between the trailer's wheels to support the removable container. For that reason, the underride guard required a completely new design. Instead of a vertical support attached to the trailer deck, the chassis guard features long, diagonal supports running from the guard's outboard ends to the chassis rails. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) updated federal regulations governing rear underride protection on large trucks in June 2022. However, the new rule remains far less stringent than the TOUGHGUARD requirements and is not expected to push manufacturers to improve. 'A major weakness of the federal regulation is that in the required test, the underride guard is bolted to a universal testing rig instead of an actual trailer,' IIHS Senior Test Coordinator Sean O'Malley said. 'When we were developing the TOUGHGUARD program, we found that many underride guards that survived testing attached to NHTSA's rig broke off when attached to the trailer they were built to be used on, either because the attachment points on the trailer failed or the bolts did.' In contrast, IIHS evaluates underride guards on the trailers they are designed for. In the IIHS test, a midsize car crashes into the back of the parked trailer at 35 mph in three configurations, hitting the trailer with its full width, a 50% overlap and a 30% overlap. To earn the IIHS award, the guard must prevent underride in all three configurations. The 30% overlap configuration — which was left out of the new federal requirements — is the most challenging, because only the corner of the underride guard must absorb all the force of the impact. Initially, these tests were conducted in-house. Now IIHS allows trailer manufacturers to submit data and footage from tests conducted at their own facilities or by contractors for IIHS experts to review. The tests of Stoughton's intermodal chassis were conducted by Calspan. Stoughton was also among the earliest trailer manufacturers to earn a TOUGHGUARD award for its dry vans and refrigerated trailers in 2017. To date, nine North American trailer manufacturers, including the eight largest, have earned TOUGHGUARD awards. ### For more information, go to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers and safety professionals. IIHS is wholly supported by auto insurers. CONTACT: Joe Young Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 504-641-0491 jyoung@ in to access your portfolio
