Latin NCAP evaluates the active/primary safety equipment of the models, providing fundamental points as requirements to get the best possible ratings..
ESC is the most significant advance in vehicle safety since the introduction of the seat belt and one of the most important crash avoidance systems currently available. This anti-skid technology has already helped prevent hundreds of thousands of loss of control crashes and saved tens of thousands of lives.
This technology is necessary to reach four and five stars for adult occupant, as long as it complies with the availability required by Latin NCAP and technically manages to pass the test according to UN standards.
The system is assessed by performing a series of so called “sine-with dwell” tests, based on an actual double lane change manoeuvre. These tests are carried out at 80 km/h with sudden steering wheel rotations up to 270 degrees. The sideways displacement, the stability and the vehicle’s ability to follow a straight path are evaluated. A robot that acts precisely on the vehicle is used for this procedure.
The seatbelt remains the single-most effective item of safety equipment in any car. They represent the core of the restraint system and manufacturers continue to develop new and increasingly better belts to provide better protection. All car passengers must always use seatbelts. However, many passengers continue to travel without wearing their seatbelts and such people are vastly represented in statistics of severe and fatal injuries.
Research shows that occupants are much more likely to wear their seatbelts in cars equipped with seatbelt reminders (SBR) than in those without. During driving tests, the belts are buckled and unbuckled and the loudness and duration of the audible signal given by the SBR is assessed.
In the universal level regulation, the United Nations, this device will be required in the near future, for all vehicle seats and not just in the front row.
The assessment is aligned with the requirements of the United Nations, through road and auditory warnings that are noticeable and persistent over time. The evaluation is defined technically in Latin NCAP protocols.
If the SBR does not approve the Latin NCAP requirements, points are not awarded to reach three, four or five stars. SBR is needed in at least two forward positions to reach four and five stars.
ABS is required to get three stars for adult occupant protection. By requiring ESC,it is considered the ABS fitment on the vehicle as the ABS is the technological basis for the ESC.
The ABS system prevents the wheels from locking during braking. The system monitors the movement of each wheel during braking and when they block, the ABS releases the brake pressure to allow the wheel to roll again in a split second.
