Only a few decades ago the fact that cars could
have accidents and possbly be the cause of deaths due to their
designs were almost kept quiet by manufacturers. Now that there is more
freedom of, and demand for, information by the consumer, the facts have
to be scrutinised by the manufacturers and used to make the cars safer.
So much so that on today's congested roads, safety features sell more cars
than ever before and manufactureres are eager to point out cars' safety
features to potential customers.
Manufacturers are required by law to reach a minimum standard of safety
with each model they produce. NCAP testing encourages the manufacturers
to exceed these minimums by comparing different models performances in
independent accident tests.
NCAP Testing (est, 1997)
The aim of the Euro NCAP crash test program is twofold. There is a need
for objective consumer information, but there is also a need to promote
an industry when an effort is made to improve their vehicles beyond the
demands of legislation. Crash testing is a way to get an early indication
of the safety level of new cars. Euro NCAP uses stars to indicate the
safety level of a vehicle. A combined star rating shows the protection
level in the front collision and side collision together. The star scoring
is based on point scores for the front and side. Maximum 34 points can
be achieved by adding 16 front and 18 side points. The intention of the
scores is to give an indication to what extent best practice or benchmarking
has been applied to an individual car model, and not to predict the real-life
outcome of a collision.
The tests are split into 5 categories:
Front Impact, - conducted at 64km/h (40mph) into an offset deformable
barrier
Side Impact - conducted at 50km/h (approx. 30mph)
Pole Test - conducted at 25km/h (18mph)
Pedestrian Impact - conducted at 40km/h (25mph)
Head Protection.
Test results from Euro NCAP (24-08-11)
Test results from Euro NCAP (26-08-09)
Test results from Euro NCAP (18-02-09)
Test results from Euro NCAP (15-01-09)
Test results from Euro NCAP (26-11-08)
Test results from Euro NCAP (05-11-08)
Test results from Euro NCAP (27-08-08)
Test results from Euro NCAP (28-06-08)
Test results from Euro NCAP (14-03-08)
Test results from Euro NCAP (19-12-07)
Test results from Euro NCAP (26-09-07)
Test results from Euro NCAP (25-07-07)
Test results from Euro NCAP (27-06-07)
Test results from Euro NCAP (23-05-07)
Test results from Euro NCAP (23-03-07)
Test results from Euro NCAP (28-02-07)
Test results from Euro NCAP (31-01-07)
Test results from Euro NCAP (22-12-06)
Test results from Euro NCAP (30-11-06)
Test results from Euro NCAP (28-04-06)
Test results from Euro NCAP (23-11-05)
Test results from Euro NCAP (28-06-05)
Test results from Euro NCAP (25-11-04)
First rear impact test: 80% of seats tested need improvement
ESC one year on: Carmakers still slipping on standard fit
Euro NCAP disappointed at ESC fitment survey results
Euro NCAP spots weaknesses in two best-selling cars
Skill with responsibility.
Amongst other things the risk of an accident is influenced by road conditions,
traffic conditions and the degree of concentration being applied. Keep
a 'cocoon' of space around the car at all times.
Stopping
Distances |
||
20
mph |
12
m |
40
ft |
30
mph |
23
m |
75
ft |
40
mph |
36
m |
120
ft |
50
mph |
53
m |
175
ft |
60
mph |
73
m |
240
ft |
70
mph |
96
m |
315
ft |
80
mph |
144
m |
480
ft |
90
mph |
183
m |
595
ft |
100
mph |
212
m |
700
ft |