Euro NCAP, responsible for car safety ratings, has moved the safety standards forwards for cars.
From next year, all cars will have to be equipped with an electronic anti-skid programme.
Anti-skid systems are variously known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Electronic Stability Programme (ESP); Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA); and so on. Whatever the acronym, the programme electronically helps control the car should it be involved in a skid.
Euro NCAP’s new scheme will see the introduction of a new five-star single overall vehicle safety rating.
This will replace the current star ratings in use since 1997.
Euro NCAP says the new star rating will provide the simplest and clearest advice to car buyers about a vehicle’s overall safety performance.
The overall rating will be composed from scores achieved in four areas of assessment:
- Adult Occupant;
- Child Occupant;
- Pedestrian Protection; and the new area
- Safety Assist.
Euro NCAP said including Safety Assist allows them to consider active safety technologies. These play an increasingly important role in accident avoidance and injury mitigation.
First results for vehicles tested under the new rating system will be released in February 2009.
Research by the Department for Transport has shown that vehicles equipped with ESC are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than those without it.
That equates to 380 fewer fatal crashes on UK roads and the reduction of injuries to 7,800 people a year, according to government road safety campaigners Roadsafe.
Further information on anti-skid systems
- See our Special Report on anti-skid programmes – ESP: what it does; and why it could save your life
Electronic stability programmes needed for five star rating
