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Answers
Q1: How are the ratings determined from the crash test data?
The ratings are based on a protocol developed by the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP). Injury measurements from crash test dummies are used to generate scores for each body region. Adjustments are made for factors that might increase the risk of injury, such as excessive steering wheel movement. The adjusted body region scores are then combined to give a total score for each test (offset frontal and side impact score a maximum of 16 points each). A star rating is assigned by combining the two test scores. Five stars is the best rating possible. There is provision in the scoring system for an extra test known as a pole impact test. This is only performed where a head-protecting side airbag is fitted and the car has received a good result in the side impact test. The manufacturer has the option of paying for the pole test, which could earn a bonus two points. For this reason ANCAP reports scores out of a maximum possible of 37 points (16 points each for the offset frontal and side impact tests, two points for the pole test and 3 points for a seat belt warning system). It is only possible to reach five stars with the bonus points from a pole impact test. Based on ANCAP requirements, a car can only reach five stars by earning at least 1 bonus point from a pole impact test, regardless of whether sufficient points have been awarded in other tests and from January 2008, a five star occupant protection rating will only be assigned where the car model that has been crash tested has electronic stability control (ESC) available.
Until the end of 2002 all cars were scored out of 34 points. No points were allocated for a seat belt warning system.
Q2: Of all the cars tested by Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), which is the safest?
The test results do not prove which is the safest car in all types and severities of crashes, however a 5 star rating is the highest available. ANCAP evaluates the likelihood of serious injury for drivers and front seat passengers involved in frontal crashes and side impact crashes.
Q3: How well does ANCAP testing compare to real world crashes?
Analysis undertaken by the Monash University Accident Research Centre has shown that there is a good correlation between the ANCAP crash test results and the car's actual real world performance as measured in the Used Car Safety Ratings. This is also reflected in overseas studies such as a survey by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which showed that cars that did well in US NCAP crash tests experienced a lower occupant fatality rate in real world crashes than those that did poorly.
Q4: Does ANCAP indicate whether a car is safe or unsafe?
ANCAP does not claim to represent all aspects of car safety. It does, however, represent a major segment of crashes that cause serious injury or death.
Q5: Can ANCAP results be used to compare the relative safety of the vehicles tested?
ANCAP results can be used to compare the protection offered to occupants in the event of a severe frontal offset or side impact crash for cars of similar size and weight.
Care must be taken when comparing results for different cars as only those cars of similar mass can be correctly compared. As a heavier car will generally provide better protection in a collision with a smaller and lighter car, any result comparison should be restricted to cars of a similar class.
Q6: Is the frontal offset crash test unique to ANCAP or is it used elsewhere in the world?
The frontal offset crash test, including the barrier structure, test protocol and assessment protocol, was developed by Euro NCAP. The test is internationally recognised and is used for both consumer test programs and for regulatory standards.
Other consumer crash testing programs that use the 64km/h offset frontal crash test are Euro NCAP, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the US and Japan NCAP.
An almost identical frontal offset crash test, conducted at the lower speed of 56 km/h, has been included in Australian Design Rule ADR 73/00. This is applicable to new model passenger cars first sold in Australia from 1 January 2000 . All passenger cars sold in Australia need to meet ADR 73/00 by 1 January 2004. The ANCAP test is designed to demonstrate the outcomes of more severe crashes.
Q7: ANCAP involves the crash test of just one vehicle under one set of conditions. Is it true that there can be a large variation in the test results of the same vehicle model?
The test laboratories used by NCAP organisations are subject to strict quality control procedures and variations due to the test conditions are minimal. All car manufacturers are now familiar with the ANCAP test procedures and scoring methods. Some have claimed that it is unfair to base the assessment on just one car for each test and that there are several sources of variation. If some manufacturers still consider that there is large variability in the test results (and this has not been shown to be the case) then they have the options of allowing for such variability in the design of their cars. After all, the tests are intended to be used for comparing cars - there is no "pass/fail" that would prevent the car being sold in Australia .
ANCAP purchases cars for its testing that would otherwise have been bought by members of the public. Manufacturers are invited to witness ANCAP tests of their products and comment on the results before they are published. If manufacturers have conducted NCAP type tests during product development, they will know whether the official ANCAP results are in line with their own results and can comment accordingly prior to the public release of the ANCAP results.
So far, some manufacturers have provided their own test results and there have been useful discussions between the manufacturers and ANCAP. Other manufacturers have simply provided feedback that the ANCAP results agree with their own in-house tests.
Q8: How representative are the ANCAP crash tests of real world crashes that result in serious injury or fatalities?
ANCAP has now included side impact crash testing. After frontal crashes, side impact crashes make up the next highest number of serious injury and fatal crashes.
At an international level, NCAP programs are under constant review to ensure that they best meet the needs of consumers. It is possible that other types of crash tests will be introduced in the future.
Q9: How does ANCAP compare with other overseas tests?
ANCAP crash testing by a joint government/automobile association group was a world first. ANCAP has now harmonised test procedures with the European NCAP group (Euro NCAP), which also conducts offset frontal crash testing and side impact crash testing. The side impact crash test is also conducted in Japan but at the higher speed of 55km/h.
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