Post crash and rescue
After a crash, it is essential that the vehicle allows for the rapid extrication of occupants. For this, restraint systems such as seatbelts must be releasable without tools, and door locking systems — especially with the new retractable handle designs — must allow access to the vehicle after a crash without the use of tools, even if the vehicle is no longer powered or has no battery. It is also necessary for rescue teams to know how and where to access the vehicle to rescue victims in cases where the doors cannot be opened or the vehicle position prevents normal access. For this reason, it is vital to clearly identify the areas where the vehicle structure should be cut or bent. Cutting in areas other than those specifically designed for rescue operations can not only delay rescue efforts — wasting critical time needed to save victims — but can also increase the risk to occupants and rescuers, as well as damage valuable rescue equipment, causing even greater delays. The rescue sheet is precisely the diagram that clearly and concisely indicates to rescue teams where and how different sections of the vehicle should be cut in order to safely access victims, protecting both the occupants inside the vehicle and rescue personnel. This sheet follows globally recognized ISO-based layouts and becomes even more relevant in an increasingly electrified vehicle fleet.
Latin NCAP also rewards emergency call services (eCall), in which the vehicle automatically places an emergency call after a crash, communicating basic information such as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the location, time, and direction of travel at the moment of the crash. In an initial stage, Latin NCAP encourages these eCall systems even when they connect to a third-party operated call center (TPS), in which the vehicle manufacturer is responsible for receiving the crash information and potentially communicating with the occupants and emergency rescue services.
Finally, Latin NCAP severely penalizes vehicles that show evidence of fire, electric shock, or risk of both.
Roof rollover resistance
Latin NCAP will begin to evaluate the roof strength of vehicles in rollovers, initially only as information, without affecting the score.