India, unfortunately, holds the title of the most dangerous country for driving. According to a report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in 2022, 9.5 out of every 100,000 people lost their lives in road accidents. In such a scenario, it becomes crucial to choose vehicles that ensure maximum safety in case of an impact. To help with this, this blog has compiled a list of the top ten safest cars in India based on the Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) ratings.
Understanding Global NCAP Ratings
The Global NCAP safety test simulates a front-offset crash where a vehicle collides with a deformable barrier at 64 kmph, impacting only 40% of the car to replicate a collision between two cars of equal weight at 50 kmph.
Crash test dummies, representing typical passengers (two adults in the front and two children in the rear), are used to assess the safety of vehicles. The scores for adult and child occupant protection are based on these crash tests, considering data from the dummies and additional points for certain safety features.
For adult occupant protection, the score is out of 16 points, assessing critical body areas like the head, neck, chest, knees, pelvis, legs, and feet. An extra point can be awarded for safety equipment like a seatbelt reminder, ABS (anti-lock braking system), and standard side impact protection.
Child occupant protection scores are based on readings from two child dummies (an 18-month-old baby and a 3-year-old child) secured in ISOFIX child seats. The maximum score is 49 points, evaluating the effectiveness of the child restraint seats in safeguarding the children.