NCAPveiligheidsbeoordelingen

NCAPveiligheid refers to the family of New Car Assessment Programmes (NCAPs) that independently evaluate the safety of passenger vehicles. The aim of these programs is to provide consumers with clear, comparable information about a car’s safety performance and to encourage manufacturers to adopt stronger safety features.

NCAPs originated in the 1990s, with regional programs such as Euro NCAP and others around the world. Over time, these organizations have grown to include European, American, Australian, Asian, and Latin American programs. They publish star ratings and detailed reports based on standardized crash tests and assessments of active safety systems. While testing methods vary by region, most programmes evaluate adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist technologies.

Tests typically involve simulated crashes, including frontal and side impacts, as well as tests for head and chest protection, whiplash, and, in some regions, pedestrian impact. Evaluations also consider the availability and effectiveness of safety technologies such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and electronic stability control. Ratings are communicated on a scale up to five stars, often complemented by point scores and safety notes.

Impact and limitations: NCAPs have influenced the automotive market by pushing manufacturers to improve passive and active safety features, leading to higher overall vehicle safety standards. However, ratings depend on regional protocols and may not capture every real-world scenario. NCAPs are voluntary assessments and complement but do not replace national safety regulations.