CAR'S SAFETY:
Which Vehicle History Report Is Right for You?For safety's sake, you should know a used car's history before you buy it. But not all vehicle history reports offer the same level of information. Edmunds test-drives the old standard, Carfax, plus new entrants AutoCheck and VinCheck
What Crash Test Scores MeanA high rating in the government's frontal crash test and the IIHS's frontal offset test mean two very different things. Know the difference before you buy a car.
Update: How To Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged CarGulf Coast hurricanes. Midwest floods. How to know if that new car you want (or just bought) was sleeping with the fishes – then given a "clean" title.
Look Officer, No HandsDue to new laws, drivers in California and Washington are joining millions who have gone "hands-free." Here's a guide on how to go Bluetooth, no matter where you live or what you drive.
How To Keep Your Old Car Safe To DriveIn this economy, many folks are trying to make their old car last a lot longer. We'll help you stretch that dollar safely.
New Side-Impact Requirements Change the Cars We BuyA tough government "pole test" will translate to more side airbags standard on new cars. What will that cost you?
Visibility: Now You See Me...Now You Don'tFrom small cars to big SUVs, visibility problems loom large in the U.S. car market. Are automakers designing for style or substance?
Find the Safety Features, NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Ratings on any new car instantly!
Feds' Tougher Crash Tests Raise the Bar on Car SafetyHow government crash tests will get harder — and what it could mean for your vehicle rating.
See if your car has been recalled or needs service!
See All Car Safety Articles
Which Vehicle History Report Is Right for You?For safety's sake, you should know a used car's history before you buy it. But not all vehicle history reports offer the same level of information. Edmunds test-drives the old standard, Carfax, plus new entrants AutoCheck and VinCheck
What Crash Test Scores MeanA high rating in the government's frontal crash test and the IIHS's frontal offset test mean two very different things. Know the difference before you buy a car.
Update: How To Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged CarGulf Coast hurricanes. Midwest floods. How to know if that new car you want (or just bought) was sleeping with the fishes – then given a "clean" title.
Look Officer, No HandsDue to new laws, drivers in California and Washington are joining millions who have gone "hands-free." Here's a guide on how to go Bluetooth, no matter where you live or what you drive.
How To Keep Your Old Car Safe To DriveIn this economy, many folks are trying to make their old car last a lot longer. We'll help you stretch that dollar safely.
New Side-Impact Requirements Change the Cars We BuyA tough government "pole test" will translate to more side airbags standard on new cars. What will that cost you?
Visibility: Now You See Me...Now You Don'tFrom small cars to big SUVs, visibility problems loom large in the U.S. car market. Are automakers designing for style or substance?
Find the Safety Features, NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Ratings on any new car instantly!
Feds' Tougher Crash Tests Raise the Bar on Car SafetyHow government crash tests will get harder — and what it could mean for your vehicle rating.
See if your car has been recalled or needs service!
See All Car Safety Articles
CHILD SAFETY AND CAR SEATS:
New Safety Act To Save Kids' LivesIt's been a long time coming, but the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act will save lives by improving rear visibility and requiring other vehicle changes.
Driving PregnantAirbags and seatbelts can protect unborn children, but there are important rules for expectant mothers to follow.
Should School Buses Have Seatbelts?Think this is a no-brainer? Not so fast. Safety, money and enforcement are all part of an ongoing debate.
Tragic YouTube Video Questions Seatbelt SafetyAfter their 3-year-old was killed in a crash, the Millers produced a heartbreaking video and posted it on YouTube. Almost 2 million views later, the debate over seatbelt failure continues.
Are Infants Safe in Their Car Seats?Consumer Reports' publication — and quick withdrawal — of infant car seat crash tests created confusion and controversy. Here's the low-down for parents.
Preventing Backover DeathsAs advocacy groups battle the government and automakers to create the first rear visibility standard for U.S. vehicles, 100 children die annually from "backovers" and thousands more are injured. Here are some of their stories.
How To Choose a Car SeatChoosing a car seat is an important and confusing decision. Here's how to seat your children safely, from the time they're born until they can fit into adult seatbelts.
How To Install a Car Seat More than 80 percent of all car seats are incorrectly installed or used. Here's how to properly protect your most precious cargo.
Booster Seats: Fight the Good FightYour child may not want to sit in a booster, but it's the easiest way to protect him.
Ten (Mostly) Safety Features Every Minivan Should HaveFamilies buy minivans for safe, convenient transport. Include as many of these safety features as you can afford.
New Safety Act To Save Kids' LivesIt's been a long time coming, but the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act will save lives by improving rear visibility and requiring other vehicle changes.
Driving PregnantAirbags and seatbelts can protect unborn children, but there are important rules for expectant mothers to follow.
Should School Buses Have Seatbelts?Think this is a no-brainer? Not so fast. Safety, money and enforcement are all part of an ongoing debate.
Tragic YouTube Video Questions Seatbelt SafetyAfter their 3-year-old was killed in a crash, the Millers produced a heartbreaking video and posted it on YouTube. Almost 2 million views later, the debate over seatbelt failure continues.
Are Infants Safe in Their Car Seats?Consumer Reports' publication — and quick withdrawal — of infant car seat crash tests created confusion and controversy. Here's the low-down for parents.
Preventing Backover DeathsAs advocacy groups battle the government and automakers to create the first rear visibility standard for U.S. vehicles, 100 children die annually from "backovers" and thousands more are injured. Here are some of their stories.
How To Choose a Car SeatChoosing a car seat is an important and confusing decision. Here's how to seat your children safely, from the time they're born until they can fit into adult seatbelts.
How To Install a Car Seat More than 80 percent of all car seats are incorrectly installed or used. Here's how to properly protect your most precious cargo.
Booster Seats: Fight the Good FightYour child may not want to sit in a booster, but it's the easiest way to protect him.
Ten (Mostly) Safety Features Every Minivan Should HaveFamilies buy minivans for safe, convenient transport. Include as many of these safety features as you can afford.
TEEN DRIVING:
Too Fast, Too Fatal: An Insider's Look at Street Racing The street racing trend is growing, often with tragic results.
How To Crashproof Your Teen DriverOur new teen driver safety series offers comprehensive advice on protecting this highest-risk group, including best/worst cars and strategies for parents.
Driving Skills for Life: Crash CourseTeen defensive driving school sounds like a great idea — to adults. Here's a teen's take on the experience.
Life-Saving Annoyance — The Graduated Driver LicenseStates with graduated driver licenses (GDLs) require teens to earn driving privileges in several stages. Teens complain, but GDLs do save lives.
Skidding for Safety's SakeDriver's ed just doesn't cut it. Ford's "Driving Skills for Life" program provided 700 lucky teens with hands-on training for real-world emergencies.
Painful Now or Painful Later: Teaching Your Teen To Drive A father and his teenage daughter offer tips for parents bravely attempting to teach their teens to drive.
Driver's Ed Online: The End of Classroom Drudgery?Know someone who's ready for driver's ed? Tell them about this, and they'll sing your praises.
Too Fast, Too Fatal: An Insider's Look at Street Racing The street racing trend is growing, often with tragic results.
How To Crashproof Your Teen DriverOur new teen driver safety series offers comprehensive advice on protecting this highest-risk group, including best/worst cars and strategies for parents.
Driving Skills for Life: Crash CourseTeen defensive driving school sounds like a great idea — to adults. Here's a teen's take on the experience.
Life-Saving Annoyance — The Graduated Driver LicenseStates with graduated driver licenses (GDLs) require teens to earn driving privileges in several stages. Teens complain, but GDLs do save lives.
Skidding for Safety's SakeDriver's ed just doesn't cut it. Ford's "Driving Skills for Life" program provided 700 lucky teens with hands-on training for real-world emergencies.
Painful Now or Painful Later: Teaching Your Teen To Drive A father and his teenage daughter offer tips for parents bravely attempting to teach their teens to drive.
Driver's Ed Online: The End of Classroom Drudgery?Know someone who's ready for driver's ed? Tell them about this, and they'll sing your praises.
CAR SAFETY TECHNOLOGY:
The Latest Auto Safety TechnologyForget pie-in-the-sky, concept technology. Here are recent safety advances you'll soon see in showrooms.
Evaluating Stolen Vehicle Recovery SystemsUnless you have a stolen vehicle recovery system in your car before it's stolen, there’s little chance you'll get it back. We break down the pros, cons and pricing of available systems.
Bluetooth CompatibilityWhether you're required by law to talk "hands-free" while you drive or simply enjoy Bluetooth's convenience, you'll need to know which phones work with which cars. Here's a guide.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: Can You Rely on Them?Soon, every vehicle in the U.S. will have tire pressure monitors. But by the time the dash light illuminates, your tires may be dangerously low on air.
Protecting Pedestrians Through Vehicle DesignPedestrian accidents comprise about 11 percent of motor vehicle deaths annually. Automakers are now putting some of the safety focus outside the vehicle.
Telematics: Can Great Tech Find an Encore?OnStar, TeleAid and BMW Assist make consumers feel safe and secure, but can they do more?
Most Important Safety Features for a Family VehicleWhen buying a family car, don't skimp on the safety features. These will help you achieve maximum peace of mind.
Safer (and Sportier) Utility VehiclesCan an SUV be as safe, and even as much fun to drive, as a sport sedan?
Traction ControlTraction control improves vehicle safety, especially if you drive in rain or snow. What is it, and how does it work?
The Latest Auto Safety TechnologyForget pie-in-the-sky, concept technology. Here are recent safety advances you'll soon see in showrooms.
Evaluating Stolen Vehicle Recovery SystemsUnless you have a stolen vehicle recovery system in your car before it's stolen, there’s little chance you'll get it back. We break down the pros, cons and pricing of available systems.
Bluetooth CompatibilityWhether you're required by law to talk "hands-free" while you drive or simply enjoy Bluetooth's convenience, you'll need to know which phones work with which cars. Here's a guide.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems: Can You Rely on Them?Soon, every vehicle in the U.S. will have tire pressure monitors. But by the time the dash light illuminates, your tires may be dangerously low on air.
Protecting Pedestrians Through Vehicle DesignPedestrian accidents comprise about 11 percent of motor vehicle deaths annually. Automakers are now putting some of the safety focus outside the vehicle.
Telematics: Can Great Tech Find an Encore?OnStar, TeleAid and BMW Assist make consumers feel safe and secure, but can they do more?
Most Important Safety Features for a Family VehicleWhen buying a family car, don't skimp on the safety features. These will help you achieve maximum peace of mind.
Safer (and Sportier) Utility VehiclesCan an SUV be as safe, and even as much fun to drive, as a sport sedan?
Traction ControlTraction control improves vehicle safety, especially if you drive in rain or snow. What is it, and how does it work?
