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flag Rear seats are 46% deadlier than front seats, prompting new safety tests and rapid industry improvements.

flag The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found rear seats are significantly less safe than front seats, with a 46% higher fatality risk despite advances in front-seat protection. flag In response, the IIHS updated its crash test in 2024 to include a 12-year-old-sized dummy in the back seat, simulating a 40 mph moderate overlap frontal crash. flag The stricter test revealed widespread safety shortcomings, with 20% fewer vehicles earning top safety ratings and no minivans receiving top honors in 2025. flag Automakers like Hyundai have responded by upgrading rear seat belts with pretensioners and force limiters, leading to improved scores in newer models. flag Other manufacturers are also making rapid structural and design changes to better protect back-seat passengers. flag The IIHS says these improvements show that rear-seat safety can be enhanced quickly, pushing the industry to ensure all occupants benefit from modern safety advancements.

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