Volume 1

Fall 1998

annually) while deaths among 1719 year olds declined 27 percent (from 2,611 to 1,894). "Any way you look at it, 16yearold drivers represent a growing problem," Williams adds.

Data aren't available to assess why the death rate for the youngest drivers is going up while rates are trending down among older drivers, even older teenagers. "The most plausible hypothesis is that 16 yearolds are driving more in highrisk circumstances at night for example than they used to compared with 1719 yearolds. Maybe 16 yearolds are getting easier access to cars than they used to," Williams says, adding it "might be tempting to associate the problem of 16yearold drivers with the decline in high school driver education programs. But this almost certainly isn't the case because research shows driver ed doesn't affect the crash experience of beginning drivers."

Population Shift Means Problem Will Worsen

The teenage population in the United States declined during most of the years researchers studied (197596). But beginning in the early 1990s, the population of 16 yearolds began increasing and will continue going up through the next decade.

"This means the problem of deaths among 16yearold drivers isn't going to go away. It's going to get even worse unless corrective action is taken," Williams says.

How Graduated Licensing Works

A promising way to reduce deaths among 16yearold drivers is to adopt graduated licensing systems that phase in driving privileges in stages as young beginners gain more experience behind the wheel. Since 1996, six states California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio have adopted programs that include essential elements of graduated licensing. Such elements include six months or more in a learning phase, during which supervision is required. Then there's another six months to a year in an intermediate licensing phase, during which unsupervised driving isn't allowed in highrisk situations for example, at night or with other teens in the car.

licenses. If we're going to reverse the trend of increasing deaths among 16yearold drivers, more states need to adopt graduated licensing."

Driver Deaths per 100,000 Licensed Drivers, by Driver Age

Reprinted from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

When used properly, an antilock brake system (ABS) is a safe and effective braking system. ABS allows the driver to maintain directional stability,control over steering, and in some situations, to reduce stopping distances during emergency braking situation, particularly on wet and slippery road surface. To gain this safety advantage, drivers must learn how to operate their ABS correctly.

What is ABS?
An antilock braking system works with the regular or foundation brakes on your vehicle. ABS simply keeps your base brakes from locking up. In vehicles not equipped with ABS, the driver can manually pump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup. In vehicles equipped with ABS, the driver's foot remains firmly on the brake pedal, allowing the system to automatically pump the brakes.

Continued on Page 3

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Why is that important?

When your brakes lock up on wet and slippery roads or during a panic stop, you lose steering control and your vehicle can spin. Rear wheel ABS prevents wheel lockup so that your car stays in a straight line. If your car has ABS control on all four wheels, you also keep steering control. If you have steering control, it is possible to avoid a crash by steering around hazards if a complete stop cannot be accomplished in time.

How do I know whether my vehicle has ABS?
Most newer car models offer ABS as either standard or optional equipment. There are different ways to find out whether your car has an antilock brake system:
* Read your owner's manual
* Check your instrument panel for an amber ABS indicator light after you turn on the ignition.
* When you buy, lease or rent, ask your dealer or rental car company.

Will I notice anything when the ABS is working?
In many vehicles, drivers may experience a rapid pulsation of the brake pedal—almost as if the brakes are pushing back at you. Sometimes the pedal could suddenly drop. Also, the valves in the ABS controller may make a noise that sounds like grinding or buzzing. In some cars you may feel a slight vibration—this means the ABS is working. It is important NOT to take your foot off the brake pedal when you hear noise or feel pulsations, but instead continue to apply firm pressure.

Does ABS change the way I should use the brakes?
You should not pump your brakes if you have ABS. Just hold your foot firmly on the brakes pedal and remember that you can still steer.

How does ABS work?
What ABS does is similar to a person pumping the brakes. It automatically changes the pressure in your car's brake lines to maintain maximum brake performance just short of locking up the wheels. ABS does this very rapidly with electronics.

Do cars with ABS stop more quickly than cars without?
ABS is designed to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle during emergency braking situations,

snow, an ABS system may actually lengthen stopping distances. In wet or slippery conditions, you should still make sure you drive carefully, always keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of you, and maintain a speed consistent with the road conditions.

Are all antilock systems the same?
They are all very similar in the way they control brake pressure, but some sytems are designed to prevent only the rear wheels from locking up. These rear-wheel-only systems are found on pickups and sport-utility vehicles. Rear-wheel ABS keeps your vehicle from spinning out of control, but you will not have steering control if the front wheels lock up. All other ABS systems-including those for cars and minivans—are designed to keep all four wheels from locking up. If you own a pickup or sport-utility vehicle, you can check your owner's manual to see what type of ABS you have.

How can I familiarize myself with ABS?
Read your owner's manual for more details on the complete operation and benefits of ABS. The antilock brake system is speed sensitive, and will not activate at very slow speeds. One way to familiarize yourself with the operation of ABS is to test drive the vehicle at a speed above which the ABS activates (usually above 10 mph) in an unobstructed parking lot and apply the brakes firmly. It is easier to activate the ABS on a wet and slippery road surface. The antilock system should prevent the wheels from skidding. Pulsation may be felt in the brake pedal and you may hear a clicking sound. Avoid pumping the brake, even if the pedal is pulsating.

Where Can I get more information about ABS?Call the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline on 1-888-327-4236, 1-888-DASH-2-DOT.
Reprinted from NHTSA

Bayerishe Motoren Werke (BMW)

Models:

540i Years: 1998

540iA Years: 1998

740iA Years: 1998

740iLA Years: 1998

750iLA Years: 1998

Volume 1

Fall 1998

NHTSA Recall No.: 98V142

Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The differential pinion shaft within the differential case assembly was produced without the appropriate surface hardening. This can result in the shaft experiencing premature wear. This condition will cause a noise from the differential and, ultimately, failure of the shaft and loss of power to the rear wheels.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the entire differential assembly. Owner notification is expected to begin the end of August 1998.
Owner Notification: Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Bayerishe Motoren Werke (BMW)

Models:

528iA Years: 1998

Number Involved: 3,800
Dates of Manufacture: August - November 1997
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V143
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The sealing material of the transmission gear position switch can develop leaks and allow water entry. This can eventually result in an incorrect indication of the gear position, which could cause the car not to start, or allow it to start in a drive gear, such as "Drive" or "Reverse."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the transmission gear position switch. Owner notification is expected to begin the end of August 1998.
Owner Notification: Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Chrysler Corporation

Models:

Chrysler Concorde Years: 1993

Dodge Intrepid Years: 1993

Eagle Vision Years: 1993

Number Involved: 84,600
Dates of Manufacture: June 1992 - May 1993
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V130
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: On these passenger vehicles built with 3.3-liter engines, the O-rings used to seal the interface of the fuel injector rail supply, return, and cross-over tubes are not as durable as those used in later model years. Deterioration of the O-rings can cause fuel leakage, and in the presence of an ignition source, could result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail.
Owner Notification: Chrysler has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this recall.
General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet Venture Years: 1998

Pontiac Transport Years: 1998

Oldsmobile Silhouette Years: 1998

Number Involved: 38,540

Dates of Manufacture: December 1997 - April 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V131

to the "Park" position may not shift the transmission to "Park." The vehicle could roll, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the automatic transaxle range selector cable.
Owner Notification: Owner notification began during June 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
General Motors Corporation

Models:

Cadillac Seville Years: 1998

Number Involved: 1,059
Dates of Manufacture: June 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V144
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The windshield wiper motor "Low" speed function can become inoperative when the motor is switched from "High" to "Low" speed. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, the driver's visibility could be affected.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover which contains the microprocessor.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during late July 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.
General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet Venture Years: 1997-1998

Oldsmobile Silhouette Years: 1997-1998

Number Involved: 125,990
Dates of Manufacture: April 1996 - March 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V145
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: On passenger minivans equipped with bucket seats or a split bench seat in the second (middle) or third (back) row, the seat latch mechanism does not have protective covers. When activating the release mechanism to roll a bucket seat forward, a customer's finger(s) could be severely injured, or severed, if they are not kept clear of the mechanism.
Remedy: Dealers will install protective covers on the outboard latch mechanism on all left and right hand rear bucket seats in the second and third row, and to both inboard and outboard latch mechanisms on the center rear bucket seat and the 40 percent portion of the split bench seat.
Owner Notification: Owner notification is expected to begin during August 1998. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet Cavalier Years: 1996-1997

Pontiac Sunfire Years: 1996-1997

Number Involved: 675,302
Dates of Manufacture: April 1995 - May 1997

Volume 1

Fall 1998

NHTSA Recall No.: 98V127

Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: The gasket between the fuel tank and the fuel pump mounting plate can lose its ability to provide a tight seal, allowing fuel to drip from the gasket. In the presence of an ignition source, fuel leakage can result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a redesigned fuel pump gasket on these motorcycles. Owner notification began June 29, 1998.
Owner Notification: Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Suzuki at 1-800-255-2550.
Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Models:

Volkswagen Passat Years: 1998

Audi A4 Years: 1998

Audi A6 Years: 1998

Number Involved: 19,800
Dates of Manufacture: February 1997 - February 1998
NHTSA Recall No.: 98V134
Vehicle Description:
Description of Defect: If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged. Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a retaining ring to hold the air screen in place. Owner notification was expected to begin July 17, 1998.
Owner Notification: Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen of America (VWoA) at 1-800-822-8987 or Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

The list identifies the make and model of the vehicle or equipment involved, with a brief description of the safety problem.

NHTSA said it is publicizing the recalls to alert consumers about safety problems and encourages them to take action. Under Federal law, safety problems must be remedied without cost to consumers. Currently, 70 percent of the owners of vehicles with safety problems have the recall work performed.

NHTSA said manufacturers are required to mail a recall notice to all purchasers, owners and dealers when a safety defect or noncompliance with Federal safety standards is found. The agency urges owners to wait until they receive notification from the manufacturer before contacting their dealers to schedule the repair work. Not all vehicles of a particular make and model may be subject to the recall.

Consumers can get up-to-the-minute information on safety recall campaigns, or information on the recall history of a particular make and model of car, truck, motorcycle or child safety seat, by calling the agency's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

Reproduced from information from NHTSA (this is a partial list of recalled vehicles for June 1998)

T. Thompson & Associates
Accident Reconstruction Consultants
1600 Merrill Street
St. Paul, MN 55108
(651) 489-4157
e-mail Accident Reconstruction Consultants

A publication to assist the legal and insurance professions

Volume 1

Fall 1998

The Economic Cost of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 1994

SUMMARY

The cost of motor vehicle crashes that occurred in 1994 was $150.5 billion. This total represents the present value of lifetime economic costs for 40,676 fatalities, 5.2 million non-fatal injuries, 3.7 million uninjured occupants and 27 million damaged vehicles. These incidents include both police-reported and unreported crashes. Property damage costs of $52.1 billion accounted for the most significant portion of the total cost, followed by lifetime losses in marketplace production of $42.4 billion.

Significant findings on cost include:

· The cost of motor vehicle crashes that occurred in 1994 was $150.5 billion, the equivalent of $580 for every person living in the United States, or 2.2 percent of this county's Gross Domestic Product.
· Each fatality resulted in lifetime economic costs to society of over $830,000. Over 85 percent of this cost is due to lost workplace and household productivity.

· The average cost for each critically injured survivor was $706,000 — nearly as high as for a fatality. Medical costs and lost productivity accounted for 84 percent of the cost for these Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) level 5 injuries.

Reprinted from a NHTSA report (brief summary)

Thomas J. Thompson, ACTAR #740
T. Thompson & Associates
Accident Reconstruction Consultants
1600 Merrill Street
St. Paul, MN 55108
(651) 489-7566

e-mail Accident Reconstruction Consultants