Tougher Vehicle Crash Tests

10/01/2009 - Law Firm Blog - Link to This Entry

Next summer the federal government will test new car models with tougher crash tests. Lower test score (star ratings) are expected, even if the cars themselves remain the same or have improved crash protection. The reason for the lower scores is not because the vehicles became less safe but because they are safer, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The new testing is expected to continue to separate the highest-rated cars from the rest.

NHTSA’s initial implementation of the 5-Star government safety rating program for one year to begin with model year 2010 to give manufacturers a year to prepare for what they call “the most significant changes since the rating program began in 1979,” as well as provide time to educate consumers on the new rating system.

Here is an overview of the safety testing program evolution. Unfortunately, none of the safety rating criteria for frontal crash, side crash and rollover resistance have been substantially revised since they were first established:

 Examples of New Tests:

• Simulating a car sliding sideways into a tree or a pole. Side tests are challenging because of the relative lack of crush space to absorb the blow compared to a frontal impact, which can be absorbed by the engine compartment before it reaches the passenger cabin.
• NHTSA will also conduct crash tests using dummies meant to replicate a small woman, forcing car makers to design seat belts, air bags and other protection devices to work effectively over a wider range of conditions than when just designing to score well with dummies the size of adult men.

Safety advocates say it is an improvement but more can and should be done. Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states, “Instead of going after dramatic new crash tests, they stuck with the same crash scenario. They tweaked [the existing test] some.”

IIHS said it would like to see more roof crush test to predict rollover protection and rear-impact tests to protect rear seat occupants. Other tests they would like to see are frontal impact, a side swipe with the impact coming into the side of the car from the front, under riding, which happens when one vehicle slides under another vehicle like a truck.

Please share your thoughts with me by contacting me at 561-842-2820, or emailing me at edricci@edriccilaw.com.