NHTSA to Use New "10 Year Old Child" Crash Test Dummy

An adult crash test dummy (photo by Ben Smith)

Benjamin Smith
Principal Technical Analyst
MSC of MS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced last week that they will be using a newly developed "10 year old child" crash test dummy. According to NHTSA, this new crash test dummy was created so that boosters and child safety seats designed for children over 65 pounds could be tested in the most effective manner possible. Read the full press release dated 02/21/12.

The new dummy will allow NHTSA to assess the risk of injuries using head and knee excursions and chest acceleration. The expanded testing capabilities will also allow for the evaluation and certification of higher weight booster seats (designed for children weighing 65-80 pounds), in compliance with recent rule changes issued by NHTSA.

Currently NHTSA recommends that children be seated in a car seat with a harness (up to the specifications of the seat) until they are large enough to fit properly in a seat belt, which they say is generally when the child is between 8-12 years and about 4'9" tall. Read more about properly fitting seat belts for children ages 8-12 years.

Telematics in the Insurance Industry: A Growing Trend

Kevin Jones
Technical Analyst
MSC

Auto insurance rates are calculated using information that helps determine a driver's risk. These risk factors have been based on--but not limited to--age, driving records, past claims, type of vehicle, and so on. However, it is anticipated that this method of determining risk is going to decrease as insurance companies invest in telematics systems, which will provide information on how an individual car is performing on the roadway. In ABI Research's press release on February 10, 2012, ABI Research estimated that global telematics use will rise from 1.85 million in 2010 to 89 million by 2017.

ABI Research reports that these systems have been in existence since 2002, but recently there has been renewed interest in them. The current telematics systems, or usage-based insurance (UBI) systems, are installed using the vehicle's on-board diagnostic (OBD) port. However, ABI predicts that installation of these systems will increase by way of factory or aftermarket wireless connections to the OBD bus via Bluetooth.

Bendix Identifies Possible Defect in Certain Bendix ATR-6 Valves

Kelly Messerschmidt
Technical Communications Manager
MSC

According to a statement released by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems on February 2, 2012, Bendix notified NHTSA of a potential defect in the Bendix ATR-6 valves that were manufactured between December 02, 2010 and January 18, 2012. Bendix states that the potential defect could occur when vehicles are being operated in extremely cold conditions (at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit). According to Bendix, approximately 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles are affected.

Bendix is offering a temporary remedy kit free of charge, which is for use until they make the permanent remedy kit available. Visit the “Product Action Center” page on the Bendix website for information and updates about this issue. Questions or comments about this matter can be directed to Bendix representatives at the Bendix ATR-6 Action Line, at 1.800.478.1793, seven days a week, between the hours of 7am-8pm Eastern Time.

Due to the potentially defective valve, Paccar Inc. has recalled those Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks built between January 2011 and January 18, 2012. To learn more about the Paccar recall, read this news article at Truckinginfo.