Side impact
The second most important crash configuration is car to car side impact. Euro NCAP simulates this type of crash by having a mobile deformable barrier (MDB) impact the driver’s door at 50 km/h. The injury protection is assessed by a side impact test dummy, in the driver’s seat..
Although it is difficult to judge the level of protection provided from the extent of intrusion, control of how the car side intrudes is important. Through the programme, Euro NCAP has seen large improvements in side impact performance. The provision of side impact airbags has helped. It is now normal for the cars tested by Euro NCAP to be fitted with side impact airbags.
Side Impact Head Protection
In side impact accidents, the head is the most frequently seriously injured body region. The MDB test provides incentive to improve head protection. To address this issue, Euro NCAP adopted a low speed pole test, this provided a means of assessing the newly emerging head protecting side airbags. The pole test is carried out at 29 km/h and although it is a severe test of head protection devices, it does not represent the more severe impacts that commonly occur when cars hit poles at the roadside. The test is simply able to assess the performance of such devices, within their current range of capability.
