NHTSA Considers Changes to Crash-Test Ratings

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on January 13, 2012

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering changes to its five-star crash test rating system that would include ratings for crash avoidance technologies installed in vehicles, according to a recent article in Motor Trend magazine.

The proposed changes to the system consider technology like forward crash avoidance and lane-change signaling systems when rating a vehicle’s safety. These technologies use sensors to tell how close the vehicle is to one in front of it or whether the vehicle is drifting out of its lane and warn the driver if distance or drifting are likely to cause an auto accident.

Currently, the crash test rating system does not give credits for vehicles that contain these technologies. It does, however, give credit for vehicles that contain electronic stability control systems, another type of crash-avoidance technology that helps prevent rollovers.

The NHTSA has proposed combining the changes in its rating system with a media campaign that would help drivers and vehicle purchasers to understand how these new systems work and how they can help prevent accidents if used correctly. The NHTSA is also supporting the creation of systems that would help vehicles communicate with each other and speed up or slow down to avoid accidents when necessary.

Car accidents can cause serious injuries. Often, the difference between avoiding a crash and being the victim of one depends on decisions made or not made in a split second before the crash. At Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., our experienced Seattle car accident injury lawyers are dedicated to helping those injured in car accidents seek the compensation they need. To talk to us about your accident, call us today at (888) 228-3860 for a free and confidential consultation.