Large SUVs are considered the safest cars on the roads. In general, the higher safety of heavier vehicles, including SUVs, is also evidenced by the data. However, this applies to the crew traveling in a robust car. But how dangerous are big cars for others? What do they do in the event of a collision with a much smaller car or even a pedestrian or cyclist?
The modified crash tests, which will be introduced by Euro NCAP, have an estimate of the consequences of such collisions. An important novelty is the inclusion of the frontal impact test “moving obstacle vs. moving vehicle”.
“This test not only evaluates the occupant protection of the test vehicle, but also evaluates how the front structure of the car contributes to accidents in the other vehicle involved. This could be important, for example, when assessing the safety of SUVs in a collision with smaller cars.” (CDV).
With the growing number of SUVs on the roads, it is logical to assume an increase in the accidents in which these vehicles will appear. “These vehicles provide their occupants with a higher level of protection due to their heavier weight and often more robust construction. However, the same parameters that contribute to increasing the protection of the occupants of these vehicles increase the risk of injury not only to the occupants of the vehicle with which the vehicle occurred. In connection with the higher weight and rigidity of these vehicles, their higher ground clearance is also problematic.In the event of a collision of a conventional passenger car with an SUV, there is a risk that due to the difference in height, the rigid parts of the vehicle intended to catch This can lead to far more extensive deformations on a smaller vehicle, which can directly endanger the vehicle’s occupants, ”explains Veronika Valentová, Director of the Traffic Engineering, Safety and Strategy Division of the CDV.
Thus, for example, side impacts still remain problematic, in which case the door is extensively deformed in the event of a minute in the vehicle’s sill, reaching as far as the passenger compartment.
“The share of the SUV and off-road vehicle segment is growing every year. Last year, every third newly registered passenger car was out of this category. This share has risen again this year. It is entirely appropriate that Euro NCAP crash tests have caught this trend and will take it into account.” “comments the news of the CDV boss Jindřich Frič.
Other changes in crash tests
New safety tests include adjustments to the speed and weight of the side barrier test, which increases the severity of the test. Euro NCAP will also, for the first time, evaluate external impact protection with a focus on driver protection and possible interaction between driver and front seat passenger, thus adequately verifying the protection offered by central airbags.
Euro NCAP also continues to test the latest generation of accident prevention and driver assistance systems. New, more demanding test scenarios have been added for automated emergency braking (AEB) technology for cars and vulnerable road users, including the intersection corner scenario.
In addition, driver condition monitoring systems should be gradually evaluated to detect driver fatigue and distraction.
The new tests also take into account the reaction after the collision. Euro NCAP, in cooperation with the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services, has developed new rating rules to promote better vehicle safety after an accident. Manufacturers will benefit if rescue information is accurate and easily accessible. Euro NCAP also controls the easy availability and advanced features of the eCall system.
Rescuers should also have essential information on each model and emergency response instructions for all new cars on hand. Manufacturers should share them through the new “Euro Rescue” application, which will work online and offline, allowing rescuers to access information even in cases where there is little or no signal coverage at the scene of the accident.
“So-called emergency care is one of the 8 key indicators defined by the European Union for the next decade. These indicators will be evaluated in all member states, including the Czech Republic, which will have them enshrined in the BESIP Strategy 2021-2030. The creation of Euro Rescue is also one from measures that will make the work of rescuers more efficient and will have a positive impact on the consequences of traffic accidents, “adds the director of CDV Frič.
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