| For anyone that puts auto safety as a | | | | crash into a deformable barrier that reacts |
| priority when it comes to purchasing new cars | | | | like another vehicle. This type of test |
| and trucks should understand that certain | | | | gauges how only half of the vehicle's front |
| models perform differently in a crash. | | | | end absorbs crash energy. |
| Learning what the new auto safety information | | | | |
| is will benefit each and every person seeking | | | | The NHTSA testers perform head on car crashes |
| to purchase a safe vehicle. New vehicles are | | | | with firm solid objects, the results will |
| safer than vehicles in the past, however; | | | | never show the real outcome of a collision, |
| their crash worthiness varies by individual | | | | as most crashes do not head a solid object |
| models even in the same vehicle class. | | | | head on. Anther test they perform include |
| | | | chance-of-injury stat's based on trauma to |
| Two different sources perform auto safety | | | | the test dummies' torsos, not their heads. In |
| tests in the US one is nonprofit trade groups | | | | reality, a passenger's head is more |
| and the other is government agencies. All new | | | | susceptible to injury in a side impact and |
| cars and trucks in the US must meet and pass | | | | head injuries are more serious and many times |
| Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The | | | | fatal. |
| form includes that new vehicles must, meet a | | | | |
| standard of 30-mph frontal and 33.5-mph | | | | As you are shopping for your new car, the |
| side-impact compliance crash tests however, | | | | information of these tests may not be |
| the safety of these vehicles above this | | | | available yet because it is still pending or |
| standard varies. One thing you must | | | | the vehicle may not be eligible. The majority |
| understand is that the results for all models | | | | of the times, convertibles are not normally |
| cannot be compared. | | | | tested for this very reason. Results for new |
| | | | or recently re-engineered models are likely |
| Unit-to-unit comparisons of frontal | | | | to appear months after the vehicle goes on |
| crash-test ratings are valid only within a | | | | sale because both agencies purchase their |
| vehicle class or between models of comparable | | | | test subjects from dealerships, just as |
| weight within 250 pounds class. These tests | | | | consumers do. NHTSA tends to note if a |
| will show how a car would stack up in a | | | | vehicle is TBT (to be tested) or if results |
| collision with another car of the same model | | | | are pending or under review; IIHS gives no |
| and not compared with a larger or smaller | | | | clue as to future reports. |
| vehicle or a lower or higher riding vehicle. | | | | |
| Studies have shows that a heavier vehicle | | | | Nevertheless, cars and trucks are safer today |
| will protect its passengers better than a | | | | than in the past. Modern technology has |
| lighter one if all the factors tested were | | | | helped with all phases of car safety. |
| equal, however, they never are. Because of | | | | However, you must remember that the crash |
| this, a large vehicle a Poor rating is not | | | | worthiness does vary. Therefore, if you wish |
| necessarily safer than a small vehicle with a | | | | to have the fasts vehicle on the road but you |
| Good rating. | | | | are concerned about safety it would be in |
| | | | your best interest to compare safety ratings |
| You do need to understand that agencies test | | | | and performance test in within the same |
| differently, as the Insurance Institute for | | | | models. |
| Highway Safety conducts a frontal-offset | | | | |