If you’re like most people, you want to drive a vehicle that is as safe as possible. This typically means looking for vehicles that earn at least four of five stars in safety tests. However, some professionals believe that the safety rating system that was created in the 1990s is obsolete today.
You don’t know what the car does once it’s on the road
One of the main criticisms that individuals and safety groups have about the rating system is that it doesn’t take into how well a vehicle performs on the road. Using information from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System can help you put a safety rating into context. While it is currently available for free for anyone who uses it, the information it provides can be difficult to analyze. However, it may be possible to create a system that allows people to do so in the future.
Only a limited amount of testing is performed
In Europe, vehicles go through more than four times as many tests as they do in the United States. Furthermore, there are no tests to determine if pedestrian safety systems can help drivers spot those running or cycling in the street. Finally, the dummies used in crash tests aren’t necessarily representative of the population. Therefore, the results that are obtained may be flawed or not applicable to several groups of drivers or passengers.
Political strength will be needed to change the system
The federal government has long said that it will include additional crash tests and change the size and shape of crash test dummies. However, a lack of funding and political will have made it difficult to follow through on those statements.
Individuals who are hurt in car accidents involving negligent drivers or other negligent parties may be entitled to compensation. It may be a good idea to speak with an attorney to learn more about pursuing a financial award or other relief allowed by law.
