Vehicle Safety Ratings More Technical
NHTSA tweaks for consumer considerations intended to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated features.
The safety ratings changes include new tests on vehicles’ ability to minimize pedestrian injury and death in a crash.
Pexels/Josh Sorenson
Newer vehicle technologies have been added to a federal vehicle ratings program for consumers to evaluate vehicles’ safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made the additions to its 5-Star Safety Ratings, along with mapping out later changes over the next 10 years. The federal agency started using the ratings system in 1993.
The immediate additions include four advanced driver-assistance systems and a “crashworthiness pedestrian protection” testing on vehicles’ ability to minimize pedestrian injury and death in a crash.
“Like our move earlier this year to make automatic emergency braking standard on new passenger cars and light trucks, these changes to the 5-Star Safety Ratings will speed up adoption of technologies that reduce the frequency and severity of crashes while helping consumers make informed decisions about buying a new car,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The ADAS additions are pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind-spot warning and blind-spot intervention.
The agency said it will also strengthen its evaluation of ADAS it already tests, including automatic emergency brakes.
The updates are intended to give consumers “more useful and relevant information on the latest safety technologies” and keep up “with the pace of technological change and innovation,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Adam Raviv.
More Industry
Managing Expectations
Learn how proactive communication, setting clear expectations, and providing solutions when plans change can strengthen customer trust and improve the overall service experience.
Read More →
Hawkeye State Dealerships Trade Hands
One auto group and a single store sell as part of a recent deluge of U.S. buy-sell transactions making 2026 a hot M&A year.
Read More →
Mainstay Georgia Auto Group Sells
Acquisition by Group 1 extends its presence in the U.S. luxury retail market with the addition of the 10-store stable.
Read More →
New Auto Group Enters the Market
The Iowa transaction involved a Chevrolet GMC Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram rooftop.
Read More →
Connection Drives Consideration
Convenience and safety are top priorities for American drivers when it comes to connected vehicles and the services they expect with their next car.
Read More →
New-Vehicle Prices Stay Put
Affordability pressures and model availability shaped new-vehicle sales in September, according to an analysis by Kelley Blue Book.
Read More →
EV Buyer Consideration Shifts
What drives American consumers to purchase an electric vehicle is shifting as the question moves away from Should I?' to 'Which features and experience do I want to have?'
Read More →
Auto Nameplate Loyalty Holds in Tough Times
Consumers have been faithful to brands despite financial pressures, and JD Power says that’s because automakers have made some wise moves.
Read More →
Top New Jersey RV Store Sells
Myer’s RV Superstore is expanding its footprint in the state with two new locations that it acquired from Ed Hutchinson Jr.
Read More →
Alliance Analyzes Technician Pipeline
A new industry report examines the state of skilled trades in the U.S. and details the drivers of demand for automotive repair and how technicians enter and grow in the workforce.
Read More →