Sivutörmäysturvallisuusluokitus

Sivutörmäysturvallisuusluokitus refers to a system used to assess and rate the safety of vehicles in side-impact collisions. This classification helps consumers understand how well a vehicle protects its occupants during a crash where one vehicle strikes another from the side. Various organizations, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States and Euro NCAP in Europe, conduct and publish these safety ratings.

The rating process typically involves a series of standardized crash tests. These tests simulate real-world side-impact scenarios, including collisions with deformable barriers representing other vehicles and rigid poles representing stationary objects. During these tests, sophisticated sensors measure the forces and potential injuries to occupants in both the front and rear seats. The data collected is then used to assign a star rating, with more stars indicating a higher level of side-impact protection.

Factors contributing to a high sivutörmäysturvallisuusluokitus include the vehicle's structural integrity, the effectiveness of its side-impact airbags (including curtain airbags and side torso airbags), the presence of robust door beams, and the overall design of the vehicle's safety cage. Vehicles with advanced safety features designed to absorb and redirect impact energy tend to perform better in these assessments. These classifications are a valuable tool for consumers making informed decisions about vehicle safety.