History of Vehicle Safety

safety glass

Jan 1, 1924

First car made standard with safety glass windows was the Cadillac.

windshield wiper

Jan 1, 1925

first electric powered windshield wipers were produced so the wiper speed stayed the same regardless of engine speed.

brakes

Jan 1, 1950

chrysler introduces 4-wheel disc brakes.

first seat belt

Dec 31, 1950

Nash-Kelvinator is the first to introduce the seat belt.

padded dashboard

Jan 1, 1954

several manufactuers put out vehicles with padded dashes to protect its occupants.

door latches

Jan 1, 1955

improved door latches make it more difficult for door to open when in a collision. this feature was made standard on almost all cars.

optional seat belts

Jan 1, 1956

GM, Ford, and Chrysler offer seat belts as optional safety equipment.

first seat belt law

Jan 1, 1962

New York is the first state to enact a law that requires working front seat safety belts

standard seat belts

Jan 1, 1964

the top four U.S. auto manufacturers add front seat safety belts as standard equipment

steering column

Jan 1, 1967

energy absorbing steering column introduced by GM

first airbag

Jan 1, 1974

GM produces the first airbag

airbag as standard equipment

Jan 1, 1989

chrysler is the first auto company to make airbags standard equipment on all of their vehicles

side impact

Jan 1, 1991

vovlo introduces side impact protection system

side airbag

Mar 15, 1994

volvo introduces side impact airbags

seat belt law

Jan 1, 1995

all states but one have seat belt use laws

automatic braking

Mar 15, 2009

volvo offers brake system that automatically applies brakes if driver fails to react (only at speeds 18mph or lower)