Analysis of Insurance Claims to Determine Bumper Effect on Crash Damage

摘要

The effectiveness of the crash-protecting automobile bumpers required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 215--Exterior Protection, Passenger Cars was evaluated through an analysis of insurance claims filed with the State Farm Insurance Company. FMVSS-215 was first implemented in 1973, requring that bumpers meet certain minimum criteria during a 5-mph front barrier crash and a 2.5-mph rear barrier crash. In 1974, FMVSS-215 was expanded to require that bumpers meet minimum standards during corner pendulum crash tests as well. In addition, the barrier test was upgraded to 5 -mph for the rear barrier crash. The current study compares accident claims from three periods: prior to enactment of FMVSS-215 (1972); the first year of the standards (1973); and additional years since upgrading of the standard (1974-78).