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NHTSA revises safety standards

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Receiving a top-tier five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just got tougher, and we have the explanation as to why. According to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the previous test had begun to allow for too many five-star ratings, and in an effort to raise the bar on safety and give consumers more ability to differentiate between products, NTSA has modified the test to make it tougher on the cars. “More stars equal safer cars,” said LaHood. “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.”  Naturally, the changes mean some cars previously awarded five-star ratings will no longer qualify, and for model year 2011, NHTSA will test a total of 24 passenger cars, 20 SUVs, two vans and nine pick-up trucks. One of the most significant changes to the ratings program is the addition of an Overall Vehicle Score for each vehicle tested. The Overall Vehicle Score combines the results of a frontal crash test, side crash tests and rollover resistance tests and compares those results to the average risk of injury and potential for vehicle rollover of other vehicles. Also included now is a side pole crash testing and crash prevention-technologies.