Car safety organisation Euro NCAP will introduce a new crash test scoring system from February next year.Just one star rating will be awarded after new cars are safety tested, rather than the three scores traditionally given. Euro NCAP currently awards scores out of five for adult occupant, child occupant, and pedestrian protection safety. The new system will introduce an overall average score, made up of all three, plus a new ‘electronic safety assist’ category. It’s hoped this method will make NCAP results easier to understand for consumers. Whiplash protection will also be measured in adult occupant safety tests from 2009. Euro NCAP, which sets the benchmark for European car safety, recently announced that only cars with ESP could achieve its full five-star safety rating. The organisation hopes its more stringent star ratings system will challenge the industry to further improve safety standards.
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Re: NCAP star ratings change
Never see any photographs of rear impact tests, only front, side, and pole. A fairly large number of accidents cause rear damage, and, of course, children must be in the rear compartment. Is this aspect tested?