Safety Improvements Save Lives

An estimated 48,352 lives have been saved since the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-worthiness testing program began in 1995, according to the institute.

The institute recently conducted a head-to-head crash test to mark the 30th anniversary of its program and to illustrate the effectiveness of safety improvements that automakers have made over the years. It pitted a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer against a 2026 version in a head-to-head comparison of a front head-on crash test at 40 mph.

The results presented a stark contrast: The driver of the 2026 Blazer “would likely have walked away with bumps and bruises,” while the driver of the 1996 model “would have suffered serious, potentially fatal injuries.” In the 2026 Blazer, the occupant compartment remained intact, but in the 1996 version the impact crushed the occupant compartment.

To estimate how many lives have been saved over the past three decades, the institute examined the effects of five crash-worthiness evaluations covering front and side crashes and roof strength. The tests have changed over the years, some being discontinued after automakers made safety improvements that met standards across the board.

The group also calculated the program’s financial impact using data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, estimating that the crash tests have saved society $538 billion.

“It feels strange to talk about the monetary value of a person’s life, even to researchers,” said IIHS Statistician and lead author of the study Amy Schumacher. “But it’s a useful way to weigh the cost-effectiveness of different
interventions.