Government to announce changes to vehicle crash test rating program

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government wants to make improvements to the crash test program for new cars and trucks, offering more guidance to car shoppers who value safety. The Bush administration plans to announce changes Tuesday to the government's safety ratings, which grade new vehicles on a scale of up to five stars. The program, started in 1979, has helped accelerate the adoption of safety technologies in new cars and trucks. But some auto safety advocates say most vehicles earn four or five stars on the tests, making it difficult for consumers to compare the safety features of... [read full story]