The U.S. government announced the introduction of a new crash test dummy design on Thursday, aimed at enhancing vehicle safety for women. The Department of Transportation plans to incorporate this dummy into its vehicle crash test five-star ratings upon the adoption of a final rule, as mentioned in a recent government press release.
Statistics indicate that women are 73% more likely to sustain injuries in head-on collisions and 17% more likely to die in car crashes compared to men. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for modifications in crash testing that better reflect female anatomy.
Historically, the standard crash test dummy utilized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was developed in 1978, modeled after an average 5-foot-9 (175 cm), 171-pound (78 kg) male. This design is frequently employed for testing in passenger and rear seats but has rarely been used to simulate scenarios for drivers, despite the majority of licensed drivers in the U.S. being women.
The newly endorsed female crash test dummy features a design that closely mirrors physiological differences between men and women, particularly in the anatomy of the neck, collarbone, pelvis, and legs. This advanced dummy is equipped with over 150 sensors, allowing for more detailed data collection during crash tests.
Despite the progress represented by this new design, some American automotive manufacturers have expressed skepticism. They argue that the new dummy's model may overstate injury risks and may challenge the effectiveness of existing safety features, such as seat belts and airbags.
Support for new crash test rules has been a bipartisan effort, with lawmakers from both past presidential administrations advocating for updated safety standards and practices. Recently, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer, a Republican from Nebraska, and Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, both issued statements in favor of the introduction of the female crash test dummy.
Senator Duckworth remarked, “Any progress here is good because there’s simply no good reason why women are more likely to be injured or die in car crashes.” Meanwhile, Senator Fischer has introduced the She Drives Act, which calls for the most advanced testing devices available, including the female crash test dummy. Duckworth serves as a co-sponsor of this legislation.
Fischer emphasized the necessity of establishing these updated testing standards permanently to help save lives and enhance road safety for all drivers. She stated, “It’s far past time to make these testing standards permanent, which will help save thousands of lives and make America’s roads safer for all drivers.”
In conclusion, the Department of Transportation is set to make the new specifications available to manufacturers. This will enable automotive companies to begin testing vehicles using the newly designed crash test dummy, marking a significant step in addressing gender disparities in vehicle safety outcomes.
