safety
Safety feature now standard in most new European cars often missing from models sold in the U.S.
By Emily Featherston, Anna Werner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 13, 2026
· 13 min read
(InvestigateTV) — Victims of car crashes often recall such events happening “in the blink of an eye,” when in reality, it takes less than half that amount of time.Particularly when the impact is coming from the side.In lateral crashes, even when hit at a modest speed, it takes just 0.17 seconds f...
Key takeaway In lateral crashes, even when hit at a modest speed, it takes just 0.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
For Atlanta drivers, the absence of front-center airbags in many US vehicle models is a concerning safety gap. Given the city's congested roads and high rate of car accidents, the risk of lateral crashes and resulting head injuries is a pressing concern. As the city continues to grow and develop, its residents deserve to have access to the same safety features that are now standard in most new European cars. The fact that these airbags are often only available in luxury vehicles or expensive trim packages in the US means that many Atlanta drivers, particularly those in lower-income communities, may be left without this critical safety protection. As local leaders work to improve road safety and reduce accidents, they should prioritize advocating for the adoption of front-center airbags in all new vehicle models, regardless of price point or trim level.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 13 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (InvestigateTV) — Victims of car crashes often recall such events happening “in the blink of an eye,” when in reality, it takes less than half that amount of time.Particularly when the impact is coming from the side.In lateral crashes, even when hit at a modest speed, it takes just 0.17 seconds f...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Emily Featherston, Anna Werner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter