An asterisk not only from the sky
In fact, car manufacturers have done a lot when it comes to safety.
Car manufacturers say they offer clean and safe cars. This is an exaggeration, but a lot has been done in terms of security.
an obstacle on the driver's side that is offset by 40 percent from the vehicle's axis of symmetry (offset). In the photo F»src=»https://d.motofakty.pl/art/3g/gp/4btijokkggsocgos8cco8/425a1b9c3a416-d.310.jpg»align=»right»>
Safety is no longer a publicity stunt for Volvo, which was the first to introduce mass-produced seat belts. Now every manufacturer is trying to convince buyers that it produces safe cars.
Active and passive safety
Widespread crash tests check, first of all, the resistance of the car body structure to 
collision deformation. This is called passive safety. However, one should strive to prevent a collision altogether, which is helped by electronically controlled auxiliary systems, which are elements of active safety. The most common are: the ABS system, which provides controllability of the car when braking, ASR prevents the drive wheels from skidding, and the most advanced ESP system automatically stabilizes the trajectory of movement. In Germany, every second new car is equipped with
comes standard with ESP, one in five in France, one in eight in Italy and one in twelfth in the UK. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association has committed that, from mid-2004, all small cars sold in the European Union will be equipped as standard with ABS and 
ASR. While this applies to the so-called. old members of the Union.
Crash tests
The Euro-NCAP Association has developed crash test procedures that apply to new and refurbished passenger car models from various market segments that are brought to market. Their results are published in the form of a series of asterisks, into which the points obtained during the tests are converted. Euro-NCAP is an independent association of European government and consumer organizations.
The first of the tests consists in a head-on asymmetrical collision of a vehicle with a deformable rectangular obstacle on the driver's side, displaced by 40 percent with respect to the vehicle's axis of symmetry (the so-called displacement). This reflects the conditions of a typical collision between two oncoming vehicles from opposite directions. Collision speed 64 km/h. Inside the test machine is 
placed four Hybrid III dummies, two in the front and two in the rear seats.
In the second test, the car is run over from the side by a bogie with a deformable rectangular front. Truck speed 50 km/h. In the driver's seat there is a EuroSID-1 dummy, behind two dummy corresponding to the dimensions 
two children.
The third test simulates a side impact against a pole, and its results allow you to determine the degree of protection of the driver's head. The test vehicle is mounted on a trolley that runs perpendicular to a 25,4 cm diameter steel support. Collision velocity 
9 km/h The only EuroSID-1 dummy is installed behind the wheel.
Pedestrian safety
Euro-NCAP tests also check the safety of pedestrians who have been victims of crashes. The investigations cover injuries to the legs and head of both adults and children hit by a car traveling at 40 km/h. Characteristic points of contact of the body with 
bumper, front apron, hood, windshield and pillars. The points earned are converted into stars.
The Euro-NCAP test methodology has been developed based on years of research on real accidents. Mannequins reproduce the structure of the human body, have a steel skeleton, aluminum skull and rubber skin. However, these are complex research instruments with acceleration sensors (accelerometers) and deformation sensors (tensometers). Hybrid III dummies are used for front impact testing and EuroSID-1 dummies are used for side impact testing. They differ mainly in cell structure. 
chest and used sensors that measure various forces and accelerations. EuroSID-1 has no hands and forearms, and its hands end at the level of the elbows. The baby mannequins are sized to match the physique of a child aged 18 and 36 months. The cost of one mannequin is about 100 thousand. pounds.
Security propaganda
The results of the Euro-NCAP test are often used in advertising campaigns, but these measurements should be taken lightly. There really is no way to measure security. From a manufacturer's point of view, a "safe car" is one that complies with the laws and regulations in this area. Today it is not a problem to design a car that will receive 5 stars in the Euro-NCAP test. In existing vehicle designs, the missing point of maximum stars can be obtained by adding a seat belt indicator. Yet the addition of the lamp did not change the structure of the car's body.
It's good that cars must meet increasingly stringent passive safety standards, as evidenced by crash tests. More and more of the new vehicles we offer are equipped with ABS as standard, which is also good for us. However, it is not worth making sure that we are driving in a safe car, because such a car does not exist. The most important element influencing safety is the driver himself.
Euro-NCAP crash test results:
| Make a Model | Year of tests | Passenger protection | Pedestrian protection | Child protection |
| Lexus GS 300 | 2005 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Peugeot 1007 | 2005 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Suzuki Swift | 2005 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Honda FR-V | 2005 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Fiat Panda | 2004 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Hyundai getz | 2004 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Kia Picanto | 2004 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Honda jazz | 2004 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Volkswagen Golf V | 2004 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Opel Astra III | 2004 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Ford Focus II | 2004 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Citroen C4 | 2004 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| BMW 1 Series | 2004 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Citroen C5 | 2004 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Peugeot 407 | 2004 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| BMW 5 Series | 2004 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Audi A6 | 2004 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| VW Touareg | 2004 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Seat Altea | 2004 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Toyota Corolla Verso | 2004 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Fiat Doblo | 2004 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Source Euro-NCAP
