The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is stepping up its game in ensuring vehicles are safer for everyone. In 2024, they're making it more challenging for cars to achieve their TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards. This year, car manufacturers need to focus more on safeguarding back seat passengers and enhancing systems that prevent crashes with pedestrians. Out of the gate, 71 car models have met the criteria for these prestigious awards, with 22 receiving the TOP SAFETY PICK+ and 49 securing the TOP SAFETY PICK. David Harkey, the president of IIHS, shared, "We've upped the ante with a significant update to our award criteria for 2024, building on last year's enhancements." He emphasized that the awarded models excel in protecting not just those inside the car but also those outside, like pedestrians. A notable change from last year is the tougher side crash test. It now uses a heavier barrier that moves faster, requiring cars to earn a good rating to qualify for either of the safety awards. Moreover, for the first time, vehicles must also achieve at least an acceptable rating in the revamped pedestrian front crash prevention test. This new test combines daytime and nighttime evaluations, acknowledging the importance of detecting and avoiding pedestrians under all conditions. An even more significant shift is the introduction of the updated moderate front overlap test for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, demanding better protection for passengers in the back seat. Cars must now score at least an acceptable rating in this test, which evaluates the safety of an additional dummy placed behind the driver. To win either award, a vehicle must also provide effective protection in front crashes, where 25% of the car's width hits another vehicle or object. This year, the assessment of driver-side and passenger-side protection has been merged into one, with the final rating reflecting the lower of the two outcomes. Additionally, all models must come with good or acceptable headlights across all variants to qualify for an award. Hyundai Motor Group leads the pack with the highest number of awards, followed by Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda, with Mazda snagging the most TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards for a single brand. SUVs, particularly small and midsize ones, along with midsize luxury SUVs, dominate the list of TOP SAFETY PICK+ recipients. Harkey noted the prevalence of SUVs among the awardees, mirroring their popularity in the U.S. market. However, he expressed disappointment at the low number of pickups and midsize cars that made the list, given their market popularity. The introduction of the original moderate overlap front test in 1995 marked a turning point, with most vehicles initially scoring poorly. Fast forward to the last decade, and almost every tested vehicle achieves a good rating, thanks to advancements in vehicle design and safety features. This progress has significantly reduced the risk of fatalities in head-on collisions. The updated moderate overlap test aims to extend these safety improvements to rear-seat passengers, who historically have been less protected in frontal crashes. This initiative has prompted automakers to enhance rear-seat safety, a trend that the IIHS hopes to accelerate with its latest testing criteria. Similarly, advancements in pedestrian detection technology have led to significant improvements in vehicle safety. The merging of daytime and nighttime pedestrian tests into a single comprehensive evaluation for 2024 emphasizes the importance of this technology in preventing pedestrian accidents, which are notably higher at night. Harkey concluded by stressing the ongoing need to improve vehicle safety, not just for those inside the car but for all road users. The updated testing criteria reflect the IIHS's commitment to encouraging automakers and policymakers to prioritize the safety of everyone on the road. #SaferCars2024 #IIHSStandards #PedestrianSafety Get More Great Car Videos - Subscribe: https://goo.gl/BSIaFc