NHTSA to Expand Crash Testing with Small Overlap and Oblique Impact Assessments
US safety regulators will add small overlap and oblique crash tests to the federal five-star safety programme, making top ratings harder for new vehicles from 2013 onward.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will revise its five-star crash safety programme by introducing small overlap and oblique crash tests, according to administrator David Strickland. The move is set to make it more difficult for manufacturers to achieve top safety ratings on new vehicles sold in the United States.
Currently, the NHTSA's five-star rating relies on full-width frontal crash tests, which simulate head-on collisions. The new small overlap test will assess how well a vehicle protects occupants when only a portion of the front end, typically the outer edge of the bumper, strikes a barrier. Oblique tests will measure performance when the car hits an object at an angle, a scenario common in serious real-world crashes.
Why small overlap and oblique tests matter
Oblique crashes, where the car hits an object at an angle, are also common but less well represented in current federal tests. These impacts can result in complex occupant movements and challenge airbag and seatbelt effectiveness. By adding both types, the NHTSA aims to close gaps in the current assessment regime and encourage further safety improvements from manufacturers.
Impact on automakers and buyers
The expanded testing will raise the bar for manufacturers seeking five-star ratings. Vehicles designed to perform well in full-width frontal tests may need additional engineering to handle small overlap and oblique impacts. This could increase development costs and lead to design changes, particularly in the structure and restraint systems near the vehicle's corners.
For buyers, the changes promise more meaningful safety ratings that better reflect real-world protection. Models that excel in the new tests will offer improved occupant safety in a wider range of crashes. The move also brings NHTSA's regime closer to the IIHS, which has already influenced manufacturer priorities by highlighting weaknesses in small overlap protection.
Next steps for the NHTSA programme
As of January 2013, NHTSA said it was close to completing the research phase for these new tests. The agency did not specify when the new protocols would be fully implemented, but the direction is clear: future five-star ratings will demand more from vehicle designs. This follows a broader trend towards tougher US crash standards and more comprehensive safety testing, as seen in recent IIHS and NHTSA initiatives.
