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ANCAP Star ANCAP - Crash testing for safety
Vehicle safety news and updates.
Edition 8, August 2013
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Check out the latest edition of the ANCAPStar. This edition contains the latest ANCAP safety ratings and news from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.

ANCAP provides consumers with independent and transparent advice and information on the level of occupant and pedestrian protection provided by vehicles in the most common types of crashes. Our member organisations include the Australian and New Zealand automobile clubs, Australian Federal, State & Territory Governments, the New Zealand Government, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation (UK).

Meet all of our member organisations.
Latest Media Releases.

19 August 2013
ANCAP safety ratings now available for new Kia Cerato and Honda Accord
ANCAP today released safety ratings for two popular models, each from global manufacturers. A 5 star ANCAP safety rating was awarded to the new Kia Cerato, while the recently released Honda Accord achieved only a 4 star ANCAP safety rating.

13 August 2013
4 star safety rating for MG6. Top safety ratings for Holden Trax, Peugeot 208 & Citroen DS5
ANCAP today released safety ratings for four models available to the Australian and New Zealand markets - the new Holden Trax, Peugeot 208, Citroen DS5 and MG6.

25 July 2013
First 5 star car for Latin America; 0 stars for four major brands
The Latin American New Car Assessment Program, Latin NCAP, has today awarded its first 5 star rating to the new SEAT Leon. In contrast, best-selling global brands continue to provide sub-standard safety protection across the Latin American market with 0 star ratings applied to Suzuki, Chevrolet, Renault and Nissan models.

11 June 2013
Lauchlan McIntosh AM recognised as road industry champion
ANCAP Chairman, Mr (John) Lauchlan McIntosh AM, was last week recognised for his outstanding service to road transport policy and safety in Australia as recipient of the 2013 John Shaw Medal.

4 June 2013
Calls for new wave of reform to reduce road trauma
ANCAP welcomes the views expressed in the Federal Parliament last night by Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Regional Transport, Mr Darren Chester MP, who called for renewed energy and enthusiasm to lower the road toll.

22 May 2013
Top safety rating for home-grown VF Commodore
ANCAP today announced 5 star ANCAP safety ratings for the Holden Commodore, Nissan Pulsar and Audi A3.

10 May 2013
Malibu reaches the peak, while Freemont falls short
Independent vehicle safety advocate, ANCAP, has today released ANCAP safety ratings for two new market entrants - the Holden Malibu and Fiat Freemont. The Holden Malibu scored the top safety rating as recommended by ANCAP - a 5 star rating; while the Fiat Freemont achieved only a 4 star ANCAP safety rating.

7 May 2013
Driving forward pedestrian safety
A new generation of technologies holds the key to radically improving pedestrian safety. This is the view of the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR), the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS), who joined together today to conduct a pedestrian safety demonstration at CASR’s Vehicle Testing Laboratory in Kent Town.

15 April 2013
Volkswagen's safety achievements continue with new Golf
Volkswagen has continued its consistent safety form with independent vehicle safety advocate, ANCAP, today awarding the new Golf the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating.

10 April 2013
Sports car, SUV or hatch - maximum safety available for all car types
Maximum 5 star ANCAP safety ratings were today announced for three very different car types. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Land Rover Range Rover and Toyota 86 were the latest recipients of 5 star safety ratings from the independent vehicle safety organisation, ANCAP.
All States and Territories Now Members of ANCAP
All States and Territories Now Members of ANCAP.

Reinforcing their commitment to reducing the road toll through the promotion of safer vehicles, the ACT Government has signed on as ANCAP's newest member.

The ACT Government, through the Justice and Community Safety Directorate, becomes the 23rd member of ANCAP joining the Northern Territory and all other Australian state governments, the Australian and New Zealand Governments and automobile clubs, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

ANCAP has been working closely with the ACT Government in recent months discussing ways in which the two organisations can jointly boost the profile of safer vehicles across the ACT. The ACT Government, like all other jurisdictions, has developed its Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020, and through its substantive Road Safety Action Plan, is implementing incentives to get ACT drivers into safer cars.

9 lives were lost on ACT roads in the 12 months ending July 2013.

ANCAP welcomes the support of the ACT Government and looks forward to working with its newest member on progressing vehicle safety initiatives across the Territory.
12 Month Wrap
12 Month Wrap.

It has been another busy 12 months for ANCAP, its staff and of course the all important crash test dummies. For the 12 months ending June 2013:
  • 52 ANCAP safety ratings were published.
  • 138 vehicles were destroyed in the name of safety.
  • Over 250 dummies lived to see another day (as they were lucky enough to travel in a 5 star car).
  • A combined total of $1.925 million was spent by ANCAP on the purchase of vehicles and the conduct of ANCAP crash tests.
  • 28 vehicles were provided by manufacturers for ANCAP testing.
A range of new cars are scheduled for crash testing over the coming months so keep checking back on ancap.com.au to check if your current or prospective new car has been awarded the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating.
Sales of 5 Star LCVs Still lagging
Sales of 5 Star LCVs Still Lagging.

In the first half of 2013, over 560,000 new passenger vehicles, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) were sold in Australia. In New Zealand, there were roughly 53,000 new vehicles sold over the same period.

In relation to Australian new vehicle sales:
  • 72% (approximately 400,000) held the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating;
  • 17% held a 4 star rating;
  • 2% held a rating of 3 stars or less; and
  • 9% were unrated.
Breaking these down by vehicle category, 88% of passenger vehicles, 73% of SUVs and just 30% of LCVs held the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating. In the LCV category, 4 star rated cars dominate sales (56%). This highlights a lag in safety of new LCVs compared to passenger vehicles and SUVs.

The story is similar in New Zealand. Of the top ten selling passenger & SUV models, all held the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating, however of the top ten selling LCVs, only four LCV models held the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating. Of the remaining top ten selling models, four held a 4 star ANCAP safety rating; one held a 3 star rating; and one held a 1 star rating.

With a smaller share of 5 star LCVs sold in both Australia and New Zealand compared to passenger vehicles and SUVs, ANCAP urges consumers in the market for LCVs to accept nothing less than 5 ANCAP stars when making their next purchase.

The following LCVs* have been awarded the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating:
  • Ford Ranger
  • Holden Colorado
  • Mazda BT-50
  • Mercedes Benz Vito / Viano / Valente
  • Volkswagen Amarok
You can search the ANCAP safety ratings for other makes and models (with the ability to sort by ANCAP safety rating, vehicle type or make/model) here.

* Visit ancap.com.au to check variant / model year applicability.
SAT Explained: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
SAT Explained: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).

Many road crashes are the result of late braking and/or braking with insufficient force. A driver may brake too late for several reasons - they are distracted or inattentive; visibility is poor, for instance when driving towards a low sun; or a situation may be very difficult to predict because the driver ahead is braking unexpectedly.

Most people are not used to dealing with such critical situations and tend not apply enough braking force to avoid a crash.

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) technology uses forward-looking radar, lidar and/or video cameras to monitor the view ahead of the vehicle, and detect the distance and closing speed of objects in the vehicle’s path. If the driver does not heed either a visual or audible warning of an impending danger, the vehicle automatically brakes to help avoid a crash, or at the very least, to slow the vehicle and thus lower the risk and severity of a crash.

A number of manufacturers have developed AEB systems which are available on a range of makes and models.

Ask for AEB when you buy your next 5 star car.

A new double-sided flyer has been produced by ANCAP to promote the benefits of AEB. This, and a range of other promotional and point of sale materials are available by contacting ANCAP Communications Manager, Rhianne Robson.
Let's Take the Politics Out of Road Safety
Let's Take the Politics Out of Road Safety.

In the run up to the Australian Federal Election next month, ANCAP is calling for bi-partisan support from all candidates in raising the profile of safer cars - a key driver for reducing road trauma; and encouraging and supporting the swift introduction of life-saving safety assist technology (SAT) in all new cars.

In a letter sent to candidates this week, ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nicholas Clarke said, "The Federal Election presents us with an opportunity to redouble our efforts to reduce road trauma. This must be a first order priority for governments, businesses, and consumers."

With the aim of making a strong impression on the minds of candidates, a representative figure of a crash test dummy was also sent to each candidate asking whether they are willing to accept the role of "Road Safety Champion". State-specific fact sheets accompanied the campaign highlighting the road trauma plight in the candidates' local community, and the role SATs such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) will play in saving lives.

"In the period 2007-2011, there was a 21% reduction in deaths on Australian roads - some of this reduction inevitably will be due to safer cars. If we are to achieve another similar big reduction in road trauma then it is vital that Australia maintains pace with developments in new safety assist technology. These technologies are already demonstrating significant effectiveness in other countries."

If you'd like to discuss ways in which you can help ANCAP and become a Road Safety Champion, contact ANCAP.
Global NCAP Chiefs Meet at 2nd Annual Meeting
Global NCAP Chiefs Meet at 2nd Annual Meeting.

ANCAP senior representatives met with crash testing experts from around the world in May at the second Global NCAP Annual Meeting in Seoul, South Korea.

The annual meeting coincided with the 23rd International Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) - organised by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport - and brought together representatives from all nine vehicle testing programs: At the meeting, each test program provided an overview of their achievements over the past 12 months as well as an outline of the future of their test programs and methods of assessment. The common theme across all test programs was the need to shift focus to incorporate the assessment of active safety assist (collision avoidance) technologies into overall test assessments. The automotive industry is moving at such a rapid pace in introducing new technologies, and as such, test programs need to maintain pace.

For decades now, test programs have concentrated efforts on physical crash tests with fantastic improvements seen in the physical structure of cars. Passive safety features such as airbags and restraint systems have also improved in leaps and bounds however the safety of cars has now progressed from crashworthiness - the majority of new car buyers are now very much aware of what is good and what is bad - into the new world of safety assist technologies (SAT) which prevent or minimise the impact of a crash.

Global NCAP organisations are now adapting their programs to assess these technologies with Euro NCAP introducing the assessment of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) from next year. Similarly, the evaluation of forward collision prevention systems will form part of the IIHS test program from next year.

Other key shifts from 2014 include the introduction of roof crush testing (ANCAP), mandatory vehicle safety labelling (KNCAP) and rollover testing (KNCAP).

The Global NCAP Communications Working Group (CWG) also met in Korea to discuss issues affecting test programs around the world. Incorrect usage of NCAP logos was a key topic with the CWG establishing best practice and codes of practice for consumer information and use of NCAP logos.

The 'Seoul Declaration' was adopted by Global NCAP at its Annual Meeting which encourages consumers to choose 5 star vehicles whenever possible, and for the automotive industry to make a voluntary commitment to set a floor of minimum safety standards for the vehicles they produce worldwide. The Declaration aims to focus attention on the need to reduce the high numbers of preventable injuries and deaths in emerging markets.
Vehicle Design Instrumental in Protecting Pedestrians
Vehicle Design Instrumental in Protecting Pedestrians.

In an excerpt from the article "Making our Roads Safer" (Adelaidean, Autumn 2013), Professor Mary Lydon speaks of the importance of vehicle design in the protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users:

Everyone knows that high speeds kill people on our roads. But no-one realised the extreme danger posed by even small increases in travel speed until the Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR) came up with the proof. It's just one area of world-class research conducted over the past 40 years by the University of Adelaide centre which has helped prevent numerous injuries and saved countless lives.

Findings by the multidisciplinary centre have had a strong influence on road safety policy, car designs and road layouts since it began work as the Road Accident Research Unit in 1973. The Centre's initial focus was on understanding more about the specific mechanisms of injury in road traffic crashes. Researchers conducted one of the world's first in-depth accident studies, attending the scenes of many hundreds of crashes.

The work revealed for the first time that adult pedestrians are run under not run over.

"It showed that the shape and impact properties of the car strongly influence the resulting injuries," said CASR Director Professor Mary Lydon.

"This ultimately led to the realisation that there were ways of improving design to protect vulnerable road users. CASR's ongoing research program in this area is unique worldwide in its scope and attention to detail."

Today the research is supported by a new purpose-built Vehicle Safety Laboratory in Kent Town - the only facility of its kind in Australia. The laboratory focuses on pedestrian crash impacts and is the official testing facility for the pedestrian component of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Improving levels of vehicle safety is not only about design and technology, but also ensuring that as many vehicles on the road as possible are equipped with such technology. Consumer programs like ANCAP are very important, but so are influential buyers of large fleets. Their strong purchasing power ensures that if they want a particular safety feature, vehicle manufacturers listen.

"New safety technologies invariably start in the top models of expensive luxury cars and it can take many years before they start appearing in standard vehicles," said Professor Lydon.

"But as soon as buyers for the big fleets demand a particular feature it doesn't take long to appear. Together with the ANCAP program, it's an effective way of making sure outcomes from our research into new vehicle safety technologies are picked up by manufacturers."

"Up until now, vehicle safety technology has been focused largely on injury prevention - vehicle crush, seat belts, interior design, airbags and so on," Professor Lydon said.

"Now the focus is moving more to avoiding the crash in the first place and there's a whole raft of technologies coming to market."

Technologies of the future include everything from active cruise control that keep cars at a safe distance from each other, systems that warn of pending danger and systems that can autonomously brake and steer the vehicle to avoid danger.


Excerpt from "Making our Roads Safer", Adelaidean, Autumn 2013
Illawarra Institute Gets Hands-on with Donated Forester.

The latest educational institution to benefit from the donation of one of ANCAP's crash tested vehicles is TAFE NSW's Illawarra Institute in Wollongong. The Institute's Autobody Repair and Refinishing students have recently made room in their workshop for the side-impact tested 2013 Subaru Forester with students and staff alike enjoying the opportunity to engage in learning about the ANCAP test process and the data produced as a result of each crash test.

The donated vehicle has allowed teachers to demonstrate to students the point of impact and indirect collision force effects of this type of crash, as well as the materials used in modern motor vehicle manufacture.

"This vehicle has become an excellent demonstration model for the unit of competency related to the removal and replacement of SRS systems and their deployment in crash scenarios," said Head Teacher, Wayne Cavanagh.

"A tactile display model is always the best type of educational tool to allow students to get a real insight into the results of accident forces at speeds that are not exaggerated. I feel this allows us as educators to ram home the fact that our younger generation of road users really do need to have a conscious focus of the terrible results of speed and dangerous and poor driving practices on our roads."

The 2013 Subaru Forester was awarded the maximum 5 star ANCAP safety rating. It scored full marks (16 points out of 16) in the side impact test.
"90% of crashes in the United States involve some form of human error. Automation is the key in removing that human element."

David Strickland - Administrator,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, ESV 2013
Towards Zero.

Two hundred delegates from 30 countries attended the Toward Zero Transport Safety Conference in Stockholm in June. The conference covered the themes of Safety Culture; Automated Transport; Liveable Cities; Connectivity and Safety Communications; and Safety Management.

Twelve countries were represented at a ministerial level as Friends of the Decade of Road Safety hosted by the Swedish Infrastructure Minister the day before.

Australians attending the conference included Lauchlan McIntosh (ANCAP), Jessica Truong (TAC), Antonietta Cavallo (VicRoads) and Samantha Cockfield (TAC). Professor Sidney Dekkar from Griffith University was a keynote speaker and Lauchlan McIntosh a discussant in the Safety Culture session.

With over 40 speakers and many questions from the floor, there was a very useful exchange of experiences and ideas in enhancing transport safety management.

The Swedish Infrastructure Minister, Catharina Elmsater-Svard was an active participant throughout the two days of the conference. Minister Elmsater-Svard and Anders Sundstrom - a previous Minister for Labor and now Chief Executive of the insurance company Folksam - admitted to being initially sceptical of the Towards Zero approach to road safety. However after 15 years, they could now see the successful results - a 50% reduction in fatalities even with an over 15% increase in the vehicle fleet.

In addition, the cost of saving a life today with the new approach was only 10% of the cost 15 years ago. The potential for a revolution for insurers in risk rating collision free driving as well as re-rating driver risk with real time driving data and the possible impacts on driver culture and behaviour was a hot topic.

Shell reported an 87% reduction in road related fatalities for their worldwide operations over the last five years in a program they called "Goal Zero". This program reduced their policy to five pages, and focuses on three areas:
  1. Technology and standards (ABS, 3-point seat belts, airbags, ESC, NCAP, vehicle maintenance and road design)
  2. HSE management systems (journey management planning, driver training, HSE contract management)
  3. Improved culture
Swedish Transport Administration's Director of Traffic Safety, Mr Claes Tingvall demonstrated the value of organisations leading through such workplace management to introduce safer equipment and culture to society. The value of this approach in keeping regulation "light" was discussed.

Also at the conference, Volvo demonstrated some of their new collision avoidance technologies which, together with new crashworthiness developments, ensured they could still claim their expectation that "no one would die or be seriously injured in a new Volvo in 2020". There was discussion on automated and autonomous driving assistance as rapidly evolving technologies for both road and rail.

The key lessons in the Toward Zero approach were the effective death and injury reduction, lower costs in smarter infrastructure, newer autonomous driver assistance, and the utilisation of organisations and their processes to add to lighter regulatory measures.

Presentations from the conference are available here.
 
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