Safety first from now on

Nov 6 2008 Steve Hughes

Safety first from now on

A REVISED system for rating the safety of new cars is to be introduced from next year, from which time virtually all new models are expected to be fitted with electronic safety systems as standard.

An announcement by independent safety assessment organisation EuroNCAP says that it will be impossible for any new car to achieve a five-star rating without an electronic stabilisation programme (ESP).

It is generally acknowledged that ESP is a major contributor to vehicle safety but is not a compulsory standard feature on new cars because manufacturers have had little or no incentive to fit it.

Repeated surveys of consumer buying preferences show that whilst motorists are prepared to pay extra for electric windows, climate control or satellite navigation, few will shell out for sophisticated safety systems.

EuroNCAP effectively forced manufacturers to make anti-lock brakes (ABS) standard through its star-rating system and now it is to do the same with ESP.

The new scheme will see the introduction of a new five-star single overall vehicle safety rating to replace the current star ratings in use since 1997.

The rating will be made up of scores from four areas of assessment comprising adult occupant, child occupant, pedestrian protection and a new one called safety assist.

This will include driver assistance systems and active safety technologies, which are said to play an increasingly important role in accident avoidance and injury reduction.

It will be impossible for a carmaker to achieve five stars without the standard fitment of ESP in the majority of models sold.

The first results for vehicles tested under the new rating system will be released in February and from then consumers are to be urged to choose only new vehicles with a five-star rating, which will add an average of £200 to each vehicle.

Dr Michiel Van Ratingen, secretary-general of Euro NCAP, says: 'There is no doubt that this new overall rating will provide challenges to the industry but it will create opportunities for manufacturers to be rewarded for their dedication to safety."

Buyers interested in a particular area of assessment such as child protection will still be able to compare different vehicles because those individual scores will continue to be available on Euro NCAP's website at www.euroncap.com.

The seats of vehicles crash tested in 2008 have been analysed for the first time to gauge their performance in rear impact and whiplash protection and from next year this whiplash test will be included as part of the adult occupant protection section too.