The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is releasing results of its first evaluations of commercial vehicles.<\/p>\n
Four of the first nine heavy-duty pickups and cargo vans to be assessed come with a suite of features that IIHS considers essential for driver protection, including standard front and side airbags, advanced seat belt technology and effective seat belt reminders.<\/p>\n
In the coming months, IIHS plans to evaluate these same vehicles for attributes that can protect other road users, including automatic emergency braking and headlights.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor decades, IIHS has helped consumers prioritize safety in their car-buying decisions,\u201d said IIHS President David Harkey.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese initial evaluations mark our first foray into commercial vehicles, which for too long have been an afterthought when it comes to regulations and safety information.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the Institute, in 2023, 6,535 people were killed in crashes involving heavy- or medium-duty trucks or light vans, accounting for 16% of all roadway fatalities in the US. Reducing that toll is a key part of the IIHS\u2019s\u00a030×30<\/a>\u00a0vision of reducing fatalities 30% by 2030.<\/p>\n