In the world of automotive safety, there are really two major players in the United States. The first is the federal bureau: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The second is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Now, not many people realize the difference between them, but your Macungie Area Toyota dealer makes it clear.

 

What Is the IIHS?

The IIHS was started by a group of insurance companies back in 1959 as an alternative to the federal branch. The thinking at the time was that insurance companies were interested in decreasing injuries at all costs and the NHTSA can be more politically tricky. By working outside the government, the IIHS was able to sidestep lobbyists from the automotive industry.

 

How Do They Rate Cars?

Their crash testing is similar to the NHTSA, but there are some differences. For example, the IIHS adopted what are called a moderate overlap and small overlap front crash tests. Essentially, they found that most head-on accidents are not direct. Most of them are when there’s a moderate overlap or a small overlap between the two cars. The front driver’s corner is the most common impact zone for frontal collisions and can drastically change the safety rating of a vehicle.

 

What Does It Mean to Be a TSP or TSP+?

In addition to the moderate and small overlap tests, the IIHS also performs tests on side impacts, roof strength, and head restraint tests, among other. Scoring the highest rating on these earns a vehicle the title of Top Safety Pick (TSP). If a vehicle also includes newer front crash prevention, like collision warning, as well, it can earn TSP+. For example, two different Toyota models have earned a TSP for the 2015 model year and five different models have earned a TSP+.

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