Maximum speed in developing brakes
Towards the end of the 19th century, the streets were made unsafe by the first cars. Sad and sadly frequent accidents, especially with pedestrians, testify that the new and fast mobility also had its downsides. But it wasn’t long before the auto industry gave the brake pedal new power: The four-wheel hydraulic brake system in the Duesenberg Model A was the first safety device in a car. In 1949 as another major step towards security Chrysler introduced the first car equipped with standard disc brakes.
The United Nations put on the belt
In 1958 the UN established the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations. The forum aims at the establishment of international standards for the advancement of car safety. Many safety inventions such as the seat belts and the roll cage construction were made available in the market under its supervision. Also in 1958, a Volvo engineer invented the three-point lap and shoulder seat belt. The device became standard equipment on all Volvo cars in 1959.
Crashes advance the industry
In 1979 the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, began crash testing the popular cars and made public the results. Frontal offset crash tests started in 1995 while in 2003 impact crash tests were launched. In 2009 the NHTSA increased its standard for roof crush for vehicles weighing 6000 pounds or less. The World Health Organization, WHO, noted in its 2013 Global Status Report on Road Safety that there was still an «unacceptably high rate» in road traffic deaths. Still, more work has to be done to ensure car safety at all levels.
Coming up next
The statement of the WHO merely tells half of the truth. To only reduce the «unacceptable high rate» in road traffic deaths does not aim high enough. Ensuring safe mobility goes far beyond regulating what is happening on our streets. Have a look at the link below, an eye opening commercial of one of the leading car manufacturers.
Inspired by volvocars.com
