The first third of the 1990’s has been one of declining accident rates in the US. and increasing interest in vehicle safety by consumers and regulators worldwide. As automotive fatality rates continue to trend downward in the U.S., safety has become an important consideration in the consumer’s buying decision. Air bags and antilock brakes are being purchased on cars and light trucks at very high rates. Consumers worldwide are demanding improved safety in vehicles. Ongoing studies by the governments in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand are expected to lead to the next generation of frontal impact, side impact, and rollover protection regulations. A focus on harmonization and real-world safety benefits is essential. Designing to meet these demands will expand the limits of today’s technology. New technologies will evolve to meet these challenges in both the area of new design features and new design tools. Next generation features under development include "tailorable" frontal air bags, side air bags, personalized driving controls, and accident sensing radar applications. Next generation tools might include a family of biofidelic test dummies and human injury models.

The new technologies will create a corresponding need to educate the users of these new technologies. New design strategies will need to be carefully evaluated to assure that the technology provided keeps the consumer in mind;​ that is, it is perceived by the consumer as having value and is understandable and easy to use. Manufacturers and regulators must realize that approaches based on a "Technology-for-technology-sake" or a "Regulation-for-regulation-sake” may provide unexpectedly disappointing results.