People have preferences when it comes to the cars they drive. They may have a color they love or desire particular technological features. However, they must prioritize safety regardless of what else they want in a car.
When comparing models at a used car dealership, a buyer must understand car safety ratings and what they mean. These ratings give them information about the structural integrity of a model and how it will perform in real-life situations. A car with excellent safety ratings will provide additional protection in a crash, possibly saving a person from serious injuries or death. What should a person know about these ratings, and how can they see the safety score of any model they are considering purchasing?
Car Safety Ratings
Car safety ratings tell drivers how well each vehicle can protect its occupants in an accident. Each model is put through a set of automotive crash tests and safety assessments to determine its ratings. Independent organizations and government agencies conduct these internationally recognized tests and assessments.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conduct these tests in the United States. The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) are other programs that complete the tests and assessments. Additional national and regional agencies may also conduct tests so consumers have the information they need when assessing the safety of a make and model.
Why These Ratings Are Needed
Individuals need to know they and their passengers will be safe when they get behind the wheel of a car. They cannot know this information without safety test results and don’t want to conduct these tests independently. Government agencies have taken on this role so consumers can look at a safety rating and know whether they feel comfortable purchasing and operating that model. A high rating indicates injuries are less likely in an accident and any injuries are less severe.
Tests conducted as part of the safety rating assessment simulate real-world situations a driver may encounter on the road. Authorities use frontal crash tests to replicate what happens in a head-on collision. The test analyzes the vehicle’s ability to absorb and distribute crash forces and whether seatbelts and airbags will protect the occupants. This safety rating lets buyers know if the car will protect them in a head-on collision. A high score means it offers more protection than a vehicle with a lower score.
Drivers must know which organization conducted the tests and assessments. Each agency uses a different rating system based on the region’s safety requirements. Airbags in America differ from those in Europe, and the safety scores won’t be the same. Ensure the ratings are for the region where the car will be used.
Why Review Safety Ratings?
Drivers should review safety ratings to make an informed decision regarding which car to purchase. A higher score correlates to a lower risk of injuries, and drivers may pay lower insurance premiums if they buy a car with higher safety ratings. The resale value of the car may increase if it has a higher safety rating, as well, because buyers want to know they and their loved ones will be safe on the road.
Where to Find Safety Ratings
Safety ratings can be found in multiple locations. A vehicle history report will contain this information along with other details beneficial to a buyer. American buyers may visit the NHTSA or IIHS websites to see crash test ratings while international buyers would turn to the Euro NCAP or ANCAP, depending on their location. The vehicle manufacturer may list this information on their website, or buyers can use trusted automotive resources to gather it. Sites they may use include J.D. Power and Edmunds.
Understanding Car Safety Ratings
The NHTSA establishes and enforces safety standards for vehicles in America. It uses a five-star rating system, with five being the highest rating. A five-star rating means the overall injury for a person in this vehicle during a crash is much less than average. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety works to reduce injuries, deaths, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes. It focuses on testing, research, and advocacy to make vehicles safer and evaluates three areas when rating a car.
The NHTSA conducts a frontal crash test to simulate a head-on collision, a side barrier crash test to simulate a car being hit on the side by another vehicle, and a side pole crash test where the vehicle collides with a static object. The organization also conducts a rollover resistance test to determine if the car will roll over if the driver loses control.
The IIHS, in contrast, looks at a vehicle’s crashworthiness and crash avoidance mitigation. It uses a color code and four letters to rate a vehicle: G(Good), A (Acceptable), M (Marginal), and P (Poor). When testing a vehicle for crashworthiness, it looks at moderate overlap front crashes, small overlap front crashes, and side crashes. During crash avoidance and mitigation tests, the agency evaluates the headlights, front crash prevention, seat belt reminders, and LATCH systems. The Euro NCAP and ANCAP tests vary by region.
Additional Factors to Consider
Safety ratings are only one thing a person should review when evaluating a vehicle. They also need to consider other factors to get a comprehensive picture of the car and how safe it is to operate. Safety recalls and defects should be reviewed to ensure the previous owner had the car repaired. Learn which advanced safety technologies are found in the vehicle to reduce the risk of or avoid collisions, and look for a Monroney label on a vehicle. This window sticker may provide safety rating information along with information about advanced safety features.
Drivers cannot be too careful when on the road. They can control their actions but can’t dictate what other drivers do. To reduce the risk of injury and death in an accident, they need a vehicle that incorporates advanced safety features and has excellent safety ratings. This vehicle will help protect them on the road and ensure they arrive at their destination safely.
Read more:
Car Safety Ratings: What Are They and How to Check Them?
