The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization formed in 1959. It is dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage on the roads. The IIHS focuses on highway safety research and analysis to improve vehicle and roadway designs, and to promote effective safety policies and regulations.
The IIHS conducts thorough scientific studies to evaluate the safety performance of vehicles and assess their crashworthiness and crash avoidance features. It operates its own Vehicle Research Center, where it conducts rigorous crash tests to measure vehicle performance in different crash scenarios. These tests evaluate aspects like frontal, side, and rear crash protection, as well as roof strength and head restraints.
Additionally, the IIHS analyzes data from real-world crashes and investigates emerging technologies to identify potential safety risks and develop effective countermeasures. It collaborates with automobile manufacturers to encourage the implementation of advanced safety technologies in vehicles, such as automatic emergency braking systems and lane departure warning systems.
The IIHS also conducts research on traffic safety laws and regulations, including seat belt use, speeding, and impaired driving, and works to promote their adoption and enforcement. Through its research and advocacy efforts, the IIHS aims to improve roadway safety and reduce the impact of traffic crashes on individuals, families, and society as a whole.
