Following 15 years of debate, in July 1984, then then-Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole required driver’s side air bags or automatic seat belts on all vehicles. At the time, the auto industry objected to the cost and warned that the bags could harm children. The rule subsequently saved 15,000 lives, but killed 242 others: 149 kids, 82 drivers, and 11 adult passengers.
JD Power's recent survey reveals that most buyers of late-model used vehicles use the Internet, increasing seven percent from 2003. Only nine percent said they found their vehicle in the newspaper classifieds.
Military vehicle accidents account for about 19 percent of all military accidents. Outdated designs, lack of safety features, and poor training are contributing to military deaths. The lack of seat belt use has been a leading factor in many of the accidents that have killed or injured soldiers.