Fatality risk of drivers compared to right front passengers is examined versus car model year (MY) using Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) data for 1975 through 1986. Confounding effects are removed by comparing unrestrained occupants matched in sex and age (to within three years). MY ≥ 1968 cars, which complied with Federal Motor Vehicle Standard 203 (impact protection for the driver) and FMVSS 204 (rearward column displacement), are compared to MY ≤ 1966 cars, which did not comply with these standards. It is found that, compared to right front passengers in the same cars, drivers had higher relative fatality risks in MY ≥ 1968 cars whereas they had lower relative fatality risks in MY ≤ 1966 cars. Driver relative fatality risk (compared to right front passenger) in frontal crashes is similar in MY 1968 and 1966 MY cars. Therefore either, a 12% fatality reduction claimed for FMVSS 203 and 204 is too high, or, right front passenger fatality risk declined from MY 1966 to MY 1968 (by ~ 10% for the 12% effectiveness claim not to need revision). Our analysis cannot separate contributions from these two effects.