How does NHTSA side-crash test and rate vehicles?
For testing side impact collisions, crash-test dummies are placed in driver and (driver’s side) rear passenger seats, on the side of vehicle struck, and secured with the vehicle’s seat belts. This test represents an intersection-type collision with a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph into a standing vehicle. The barrier is covered with material that has “give” to replicate the front of a vehicle. Since all tested vehicles are impacted by the same size barrier, it is possible to compare all vehicles with each other when looking at side crash protection ratings. Side-collision star ratings indicate the chance of a life threatening chest injury for the driver, front seat passenger, and the rear seat passenger. Head injury is not measured in these tests. As with the front-impact ratings, a serious injury is one requiring immediate hospitalization and may be life threatening.
