From Our President: Putting Your Safety First

Consumer Reports published its first auto review in our June 1936 issue, looking at car safety through the vehicle’s “construction” and “behavior on the road.” Nearly 90 years later, we’re just as dedicated to keeping you safe while driving.

In this month’s “What a Car Recall Notice Means and What to Do,” we tell you all you need to know about handling car safety recalls. And "How to Protect Your Home, Health, and Money" brings decades of expertise into one in-depth guide packed with the best advice and product picks for everything from smoke detectors to home security systems—and more. (See the companion article, "Cars and Features to Help You Stay Safe on the Road," which covers the safest new and used cars.)

CR is also pushing automakers to improve safety for all road users. One concern is the tragic surge of pedestrian deaths over the past 15 years. As bigger vehicles have become more common, so has the danger from front blind zones that hide people from a driver’s view.

The visibility problem isn’t new: In the same 1936 magazine, CR’s experts warned about cars having a “body design which cuts the driver’s vision.” But it has literally grown since then. Now, we’re urging auto companies to lower hood heights and add features like pedestrian detection and front cameras. You can join us and help make everyone on the road safer.