Contact: Shane Austin
[email protected]
202.425.2776
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement on Updates to New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Released Today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
(Washington, D.C.-November 18, 2024):
“We are pleased to see NHTSA finalize long overdue and much-needed upgrades to its 5-Star Safety Ratings program, known as NCAP. With over 42,000 fatalities and 2.38 million injuries from motor vehicle crashes in 2022 coupled with nearly 40 million vehicles subject to safety recalls in 2023, it is clear more must be done to achieve safer road users and safer vehicles. NHTSA is an essential agency needed to address this public health crisis on our roadways, yet it is need of more resources to accomplish its mission of safeguarding the traveling public, including further improving NCAP in the future.
Earlier this year, we lauded the agency for releasing the Final Rule for automatic emergency braking (AEB) for passenger vehicles. We also encourage them to finalize other federal safety standards as required by Congress in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, Pub. L. 117-58), the FAST Act (Pub. L. No. 114-94) and MAP-21 (Pub. L. 112-141), including AEB for heavy trucks, advanced impaired driving prevention technology, front passenger and rear seat belt reminder systems, and technology to end ‘hot car’ deaths of children, among others.” Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
“As the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) was first established in 1979, I understand first-hand the need for the program to be updated to meet current vehicle capabilities including updating NCAP’s inadequate five star rating system. Today’s cars and roadway conditions have evolved over the last 45 years, but our nation’s rating system has not and needs to do so as well. While NHTSA has moved the program in the right direction, we are still playing catch up to other nations’ current rating programs, which were originally developed in response to NHTSA’s leadership. The agency needs to build on today’s progress to ensure consumers are better informed and to push auto manufacturers to make safer cars.” Joan Claybrook, Former NHTSA Administrator, Member of Advocates’ Board of Directors
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About Advocates
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.