Safety ratings scale is right way to go

As Europe marks the 20th anniversary of Euro NCAP, the Automobile Association (AA) believes it is a unique opportunity to again highlight the need for improved safety testing on cars locally.

The AA called for the introduction of safety testing measures that provide a scale of safety ratings for all vehicles sold locally. It said these safety ratings should be clearly displayed on vehicles.

“Local consumers rarely have access to information on the safety ratings of the cars they are buying. For us, it’s critical that it becomes mandatory for a sticker to be placed in the windscreen of a vehicle telling buyers what the safety rating of that vehicle is.”

According to Euro NCAP, more than 78 000 lives have been saved since its tough crash safety tests were launched 20 years ago. Euro NCAP has published 630 safety ratings, crash-tested about 1 800 cars and collectively spent €160 million to make cars safer.

“The first tests exposed safety failings in top-selling family cars, forcing a fundamental rethink in the way vehicles were designed to prevent accidents and save lives. Twenty years on, nine out of 10 cars sold on the European market hold a Euro NCAP rating and the motor industry actively supports the development of new requirements for the top safety ratings.”

NCAP said that today, the results of crash tests of two family cars built 20 years apart underline the huge advances in vehicle safety since 1997. Safety technologies that were non-existent or optional, such as driver and passenger airbags, side protection airbags, belt reminders and electronic stability control – are now standard on all cars sold in Europe.

“Euro NCAP has given millions of consumers the knowledge and confidence to choose the safest cars possible. Recent years have shown a slowdown in the progress rate, however, so we mustn’t take our foot off the gas. Next year, we will test systems that recognise and avoid crashes with cyclists, and we’re lining up a very challenging roadmap for 2020 to 2025,” Euro NCAP noted.

In congratulating Euro NCAP, the AA said the safety testing has improved safety standards in vehicles throughout the world.

“Safety on South African roads remains elusive... A key pillar of dealing with this is making sure motorists are driving safe vehicles, and the introduction of a safety ratings scale locally is one step in the right direction,” it said.