(WWJ) It’s getting harder to get your vehicle recognized as one of the safest on the road.
The number of vehicles getting the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s designation of “Top Safety Pick Plus” and “Top Safety Pick” have fallen from 71 last year to 48 today.
“The numbers are down this year,” said institute President David Harkey, “That’s because we’re really emphasizing how to protect those occupants in the rear seat of vehicles.”
Vehicles have to perform better on a new backseat safety test if they want to be honored as the best.
That “moderate overlap front test” simulates a vehicle striking a tree or a telephone pole, or hitting another vehicle from the front, but not directly head-on.
A dummy in the backseat is measured to determine what injuries a passenger might suffer.
“Top Safety Picks” get at least an acceptable score on the test. Those that get a good score win the title of “Top Safety Pick Plus.”
Harkey stressed that this does not mean vehicles are becoming less safe. On the contrary, he said they're becoming even safer, so the bar needs to be raised.
”It’s a continual raising of the bar. We look at it as where are there opportunities to continue to make advances in vehicle safety," Harkey said.
The honorees include vehicles in all categories, but this year there are fewer minivans and pickup trucks.
“These are vehicles that are often purchased these days with the intent of hauling family members,” said Harkey. “We would really like to see auto makers do more to achieve better ratings.”
Asian brands dominate the “Top Safety Pick Plus” list, with only three American branded vehicles on the list, the Ford Mustang Mache E, Lincoln Nautilus and Rivian R1S.
The Chevy Traverse and Rivian R1T are the only American brand vehicles on the “Top Safety Pick” list.
Even though a number of vehicles don’t do as well as they should in protecting back seat passengers, Harkey said children and vulnerable adults remain safer in the backseat.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is funded by the Insurance Industry, with the goal of pressuring carmakers into making safer vehicles.
Harkey said that’s worked in the past, and he feels the tougher rear seat tests will serve as a call to action for carmakers.
”I have no doubt they will continue to build the knowledge base of what’s needed, and make the changes necessary.”