Separated by a line in the sand, a fence in some places, and perhaps a wall in the future, the border between the United States and Mexico is dwarfed by the difference in product safety regulations and requirements.  Moved forward in large part by a meaningful marketplace and judicial incentive to make products as a safe as possible, manufacturers are selling products in America that are significantly safer than their offerings south of the border.

The underlying purpose of product liability laws in the United States is to incentivize safety and discourage penny and profit over people.  Our laws hold companies accountable for the effects of dangerous products.  From the Ford Pinto to kerosene heaters to Firestone tires, we have seen the positive impact that product safety litigation has had on the development of consumer and industrial products.

Simply put -- litigation and the fear of enforced responsibility moves manufactures to act appropriately.  And because the legal system -- as frustratingly slow as it is -- moves faster than governmental regulators, the product liability laws of our country remain the most effective tool available to motivate manufactures and sellers to put out safe products.

And now we have a visual to illustrate the impact of regulations and the power of the products liability system.  This is a video of a crash test performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  It involves the least expensive Nissan available in the United States, a silver US -spec 2016 Nissan Versa, and the least expensive Nissan available in Mexico, a red 2015 Nissan Tsuru.  The results are devastating -- the Tsuru earned a zero star safety rating.