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 WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· 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 Nashville
The absence of front-center airbags in many US vehicle models is a concern for Nashville drivers, who frequently navigate the city's busy intersections. Given the high volume of traffic on roads like Broadway and Charlotte Avenue, the risk of lateral crashes is a real concern. The fact that these airbags are now standard in most new European cars but often missing from US models suggests a disparity in safety priorities. As Nashville continues to grow and develop, its residents deserve to have access to the same level of safety features as their European counterparts. The city's drivers should be aware of the vehicles that do offer front-center airbags, often only in luxury models or higher trim packages, and consider this when making purchasing decisions. By prioritizing vehicle safety, Nashville can work towards reducing the risk of serious injury from lateral crashes.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville 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 WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 13 min
Get more The Nashville 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 WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Emily Featherston, Anna Werner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter