A new set of safety tests that assess how well systems such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keep guidance work has been launched, aiming to give greater clarity to drivers in a market riddled with different system names and functionalities. The tests, developed by Euro NCAP and Thatcham Research, are the first of their kind.
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While the grades given to a car’s safety assist technology won’t affect a car’s overall Euro NCAP star rating – partly as many of these systems are optional – automobiles will be given a mark based on how well the systems work, and how accurately they are marketed to consumers. how well the systems perform when the driver overrules them by altering the car’s course is also assessed, and the tech is given an overall grade of very good, Good, Moderate, or Entry.
The three areas assessed are:
Vehicle assistance: how effectively the systems work during normal operation.
Driver engagement: how accurately systems are marketed; how well the automobile monitors if the driver is paying attention (EG hands on the steering wheel); how intuitive systems are; and how clear it is if the system is active or inactive.
Safety back-up: how well the systems perform if in an emergency, such as if the driver losing consciousness, if the system fails, or if a collision is about to occur.