Updated measurements of how likely cars are to protect their passengers in the event of a crash were rolled out earlier this week, according to a joint announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Tests for vehicle safety will now include side pole crash testing, which simulates a car being struck by another vehicle and pushed into a utility pole or similar object on the passenger's side. In addition, the new round of testing will include the use of dummies specifically created to simulate the impact of a crash on a female passenger. This is the first time that gender-specific dummies have been used for this type of auto safety testing.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that "with our upgraded Five-Star Safety Ratings System, we're raising the bar on safety. Through new tests, better crash data, and higher standards, we are making the safety ratings tougher and more meaningful for consumers."
The NHTSA will rate a total of 55 vehicles from the 2011 model year under the new system, incorporating the benefits of technological advancements in vehicle safety systems. Those models will include 24 passenger cars, and 20 SUVs, along with two vans and nine types of pickup truck, the NHTSA said.
NHTSA administrator David Strickland said that "we believe electronic stability control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning offer significant safety benefits and consumers should consider them when buying a new car."
In addition to the safety benefits which should be better quantified by the government's new testing protocols, the new ratings could provide for more attractive car insurance rates for high-scoring vehicles, according to automotive experts.