Vehicle Safety Ratings are Calculated How?
Currently, the NHTSA judges automobiles on a 5-Star scale based on their performance in 3 particular crash tests: Front Crashes, Side Collisions, and Rollover Collisions. While accidents can happen in other scenarios these kinds of crashes are the most typical, and based upon the research of these crashes, the appropriate safety tools are implemented in a vehicle; so let’s take a peek at each scenario:
Front Crash Scenario
This is when 2 automobiles are going in opposite directions and hit each other in a head-on accident, or when an automobile loses control and strikes an object (like a tree, utility post, or a building) in a head-on accident.
Side Collision Scenario
One of the most common side crash scenarios is when one automobile doesn’t stop at a stop sign or traffic light and strikes the other automobile on the side. This is typically referred to as a t-bone, as the automobiles create a ‘T’ shape when they crash. One more type of side collision is when a vehicle loses control and slides sideways right into an obstacle like an energy post or tree.
Rollover Situation
This scenario is when you lose control of your automobile and it rolls over. A rollover can be set off by losing control of your automobile or a mix of serious maneuvers such as fast, high-speed turns to miss a barrier.
Some Car Safety Features are Required by Law, Which Ones Are They?
In spite of all of the emerging vehicle safety technologies, there are only a few that are considered mandatory by law. These mandated safety attributes consist of Seatbelts, Airbags, LATCH child safety seat system, Tire-Pressure Monitor, Electronic Stability Control, and Backup Cameras. All-new automobiles will have that tech and additionally, the NHTSA suggests the following Vehicle Driver Assistance Technologies:
Forward Collision Alert
This function identifies a possible accident and signals the vehicle driver a warning.
Automatic Emergency Situation Braking
This tech immediately uses the brakes when a forward collision is looming.
Lane Departure Alert
This system monitors lane markings and warns the vehicle driver if they accidentally leave their lane.
Rear-View Cam
While now standard on most brand-new automobiles, adding a camera to older cars and trucks is recommended.
This list should not be taken as an exhaustive list of safety functions, there will always be many different and new tech that will help keep you safer.
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