IIHS backs Global NCAP's call for safer vehicles in all world markets

ARLINGTON, Va., March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report released today by the Global New Car Assessment Programme, or Global NCAP, calls for minimum vehicle safety standards to be applied universally in all world markets. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) supports this effort.

Global NCAP's report, Democratising Car Safety: Road Map for Safer Cars 2020, includes 10 recommendations outlining the need for all new cars sold worldwide to meet basic safety standards for both crash protection and crash avoidance by 2020.

"When a consumer buys a new vehicle in the U.S., European Union, Australia or other developed country, they can expect a high level of safety, but that's not the case in many emerging markets," says Adrian Lund, president of IIHS. "Missing from many vehicles sold in developing countries are strong occupant compartments that won't collapse in a crash and effective crumple zones to reduce the forces on occupants," Lund says. "Even frontal airbags for the driver and passenger – standard on U.S. vehicles since 1999 – are typically optional equipment."

Lund adds, "Safety standards and crash test programs in the U.S. and Europe have saved tens of thousands of lives. People shouldn't be excluded from buying safe cars because of where they live."

IIHS and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are U.S.-based members of Global NCAP. Other members include the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, China New Car Assessment Program, the European New Car Assessment Programme, Japan New Car Assessment Program, Korean New Car Assessment Program and Latin NCAP.

Global NCAP is an independent charity registered in the United Kingdom. It serves as a global platform for NCAPs around the world to exchange best practices in consumer-oriented motor vehicle safety initiatives. Global NCAP also provides financial and technical assistance to new car assessment programs in the rapidly motorizing countries and regions of Asia and Latin America. To download the new report go to globalncap.org.

For more information, go to iihs.org
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries and property damage — from crashes on the nation's roads. The Institute is wholly supported by auto insurers.

SOURCE Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

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