Car Safety Timeline

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Car Safety Timeline

A timeline of key milestones in the history of vehicle safety.

1958 - Seat Belt

Volvo introduces the seat belt. It remains the most beneficial car safety device of all time.

1960 - Padded Dashboard

Volvo introduces a padded dashboard, in an attempt to reduce facial/chest injuries from frontal collisions.

1966 - Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)

First mechanical anti-lock brakes based on aircraft technology, introduced on the Jensen FF, a hand-built luxury sports car.

1967 - Seat Belts

All cars sold in the UK must be fitted with front seat belts.

1968 - Heat Restraints

Volvo offers front-seat head restraints, aimed at protecting the head and neck in rear-end crashes.

1978 - Electronic ABS

Mercedes-Benz S-class is the first production car with electronic ABS.

1981 - Drivers Airbag

Mercedes-Benz S-class is the first production car with a driver's airbag.

1983 - Seat Belts

Becomes compulsory to wear front seat belts in the UK.

1986 - Third Brake Light

High-level third brake light is introduced by Volvo.

1987 - Rear Seat Belts

New cars sold in the UK must be fitted with rear seat belts.

1989 - Rear Seat Belts

Rear seat belts, if fitted, must be worn by children under 14 years in all cars driven in the UK.

1991 - Seat Belts

Seat belts, if fitted, must be worn by all rear seat passengers including adults.

1994 - Crash Tests

Pioneering crash tests carried out by European consumer organizations. Test method later adopted by Euro NCAP.

1996 - Euro NCAP Established

Euro NCAP established. Super minis are first to be tested, with the Rover 100 scoring just one star. It is withdrawn from sale 22 months later.

2001 - First 5 Star Rating Awarded

First car to be awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating for occupant protection to the Renault Laguna II.

2005 - Pop-up Bonnets

Pop-up bonnets designed to reduced pedestrians injuries available on Citroen C6 and Jaguar XK.