New Government Data Shows Auto Safety Rising

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2004 -- In the wake of new government data showing that road safety is improving, automakers urged consumers to continue exercising safe driving habits and become more knowledgeable on all the safety features available in today's automobiles. The U.S. Department of Transportation issued data today documenting that the fatality rate on the nation's highways in 2003 was the "lowest since record keeping began 29 years ago" (see http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ for more information).

"Motor vehicle safety is among our highest priorities, and our automakers have equipped today's cars and light trucks with more safety features than ever before," said Robert Strassburger, Vice President, Safety and Harmonization, Alliance. "Consumers are doing their part, too, by buckling up and practicing safe driving habits."

Since the early days of the automobile, automakers have designed and incorporated a succession of safety features, including all-steel bodies, traction control, energy-absorbing steering columns, headlamps that see around corners, emergency notification systems. A new report, entitled "Obsessed with Safety: Creating a Cocoon of Safety," provides more examples of safety advancements (see http://www.autoalliance.org/).

"While safety technology continues to advance, the most important safety feature in any auto remains the safety belt," said Strassburger. "If everyone buckled up today, we can save 7,000 lives annually."

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 9 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. One out of every 10 jobs in the U.S. is dependent on the automotive industry. For more information, visit the Alliance website at http://www.autoalliance.org/.