NHTSA Confirms Newer Vehicles Are Safer

Newer passenger vehicles do a better job of protecting occupants than older models, government data confirms. But the research doesn’t say why.

A new analysis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds that fatal crashes are about twice as likely in cars that are at least 18 years old than in vehicles no more than three years old. NHTSA says the difference is true across all age groups.

The agency emphasizes that its assessment describes but doesn’t explain the gap. Researchers note that further analysis would help answer the “why” question by looking at such variables as vehicle speed, seatbelt usage, age and sex.