Side Impact Protection

Automakers add stronger steel beams beneath the body panels on the sides and doors and interior padding in an effort to keep the passenger compartment from being crushed when the vehicle takes a hit on the side. Side impacts are second only to head-on collisions as the most serious traffic accidents.

By 1997, passenger cars had to meet federal standards for "dynamic side-impact protection." And last year, light trucks must meet these requirements for beefed-up doors and side structures. Some automakers began offering side-impact airbags in their 2002 light trucks.