New DOT Consumer Guide Makes Shopping for Safety Features Easier

NHTSA
December 10, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NHTSA 82-98
December 10, 1998
Contact: Tim Hurd
Tel. No. (202) 366-9550

Are you shopping for a new vehicle and want safety features such as side impact air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control or daytime running lights? The Department of Transportation and AAA today announced the release of a new consumer guide that makes it easier to find the vehicle you are looking for.

"Safety features that once were offered only in expensive vehicles are now common in many economy vehicles, so consumers should take advantage of the increased safety that these features offer," said Ricardo Martinez, M.D., head of the department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "Safety is President Clinton's highest transportation priority."

The new brochure, New Car Safety Features--Valuable Information to Help You Buy a Safer Car, presents detailed information on safety features for 1999 model year vehicles. With it, consumers and prospective purchasers can compare descriptions and availability of safety features in different makes and models.

The brochure should be especially helpful to those who are shopping for compact or economy models. Features such as four-wheel anti-lock brakes, front seat upper adjustable belts, traction control, seat belt pretensioners and side air bags often are available in smaller, less expensive cars.

The brochure is the first in a series of 1999 NHTSA publications designed to help consumers "shop for safety" when purchasing new vehicles. The other publications are Buying A Safer Car, which presents government crash-test results and safety features information, and Buying A Safer Car For Child Passengers, which provides information to help parents make an informed decision when purchasing a family vehicle.

The new brochure is available through the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline, 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), and through the NHTSA web site, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

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