"The U.S. government on Thursday released a new crash test dummy design that advocates believe will help make cars safer for women. The Department of Transportation will consider using the dummy in the government's vehicle crash test five star-ratings once a final rule is adopted, the agency said in a news release. Women are 73% more likely to be injured in a head-on crash, and they are 17% more likely to be killed in a car crash, than men."
"The standard crash test dummy used in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration five-star vehicle testing was developed in 1978 and was modeled after a 5-foot-9 (175-centimeter), 171-pound (78-kilogram) man. The female dummy is smaller and has a rubber jacket to represent breasts. It's routinely tested in the passenger or back seat but seldom in the driver's seat, even though the majority of licensed drivers are women."
"The new female dummy endorsed by the department more accurately reflects differences between men and women, including the shape of the neck, collarbone, pelvis, and legs. It's outfitted with more than 150 sensors, the department said. Some American automakers have been skeptical, arguing the new model may exaggerate injury risks and undercut the value of some safety features such as seat belts and airbags."
The Department of Transportation released a new female crash test dummy design to improve safety assessment for women. Women face higher crash risks: 73% greater injury risk in head-on collisions and 17% higher fatality risk overall compared with men. The traditional dummy in NHTSA five-star testing was modeled on a 1978 5-foot-9, 171-pound male. Existing female dummies are smaller, include a rubber jacket to represent breasts, and are seldom used in the driver's seat. The new dummy better represents female neck, collarbone, pelvis, and leg geometry and carries more than 150 sensors. Some automakers warn it may exaggerate risks.
Read at www.npr.org
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