How hard are crash test dummies? – Thick skinned and tougher than nails, they have a ‘can do’ attitude and don’t ask any questions. They are the SAS of the mannequin world. One thing is for sure – they pack a lot of punch into their short lives. And their legacy might just save your life as they make a vital contribution to road safety.
A few more dummies bit the dust in the recent crash test studies by Euro NCAP. The analysis has revealed that only one new model, the Toyota Verso, was awarded a 5 star rating. The stricter standards of the new scoring structure was bad news for a few other models. The Citroen Nemo Multispace MPV earned a poor 3 star rating due to an airbag issue and a poor performance for whiplash protection.
The Seat Exeo was awarded 4 stars and fell short of full marks due to the dashboard which was found to present a risk of leg injury in a crash, while the Nissan Cube also missed out on top marks due to its performance in child occupant protection.
The Kia Venga, the Korean firm’s new mini-MPV also received 4 stars. However Euro NCAP also issued a safety notice for the Kia as the tests revealed a flaw in the driver’s seatbelt. However, Kia has swiftly introduced a solution and is currently taking market action to respond to Euro NCAP’s findings.
So how safe is your car? Well one thing is for sure – if you slow down and become more observant on the roads then your car, regardless of the make or model, will be considerably safer in the long run. Going forward, let’s hope the crash test mannequins are the only dummies to be found behind the wheel on Irish roads.
Brought to you by AXA Car Insurance Ireland