Milestones in auto safety

1899: First auto accident fatality recorded.

1908: Toledo first to place red/green semaphores operated by police at intersections.

1910: Hand-operated windshield wiper introduced.

1911: Detroit installs first
center lines.

1912: Charles Kettering invents electric starter to replace dangerous hand crank.

1922: Hudson Motor Co. introduces low-priced enclosed sedan.

1932-1940: Safety padding on front seat backs, windshield washers and directional signals are introduced. Rudimentary crash tests conducted.

1949: Seat belt introduced; not required until 1962.

1959: American Motors introduces head restraint.

1965: Ralph Nader publishes “Unsafe at Any Speed,” spawning congressional hearings and creation of federal safety agency to regulate auto safety.

1973: Congress requires seat belt starter interlock system that prevents drivers from starting engine if seat belt is unbuckled. Public outcry forces mandate’s withdrawal.

1977: Tennessee adopts first child restraint use law.

1984: Federal law requires passive restraints (automatic seat belts or air bags) in 1987 vehicles. Air bags mandated for 1999 cars and 2000 trucks.

1987: Federal government begins five-star crash test system to rate vehicle crashworthiness.

1990s: Volvo first to introduce side air bag.

1995: General Motors begins to offer daytime running lamps.