TOP: Are only five-star vehicles good enough?
Fleets should only choose vehicles rated ‘five-stars’ for safety, Global NCAP have warned.
In new guidelines for fleets, the Fleet Buyer’s Guide, Global NCAP also recommended fleet managers confirm the cars they purchase meet the most important minimum United Nations vehicle safety standards.
The warning comes after figures revealed up to a third of the 65million passenger cars built last year would fail to pass the UN’s front and side crash tests, and do not have airbags, ABS or ESC.
David Ward, Secretary General of Global NCAP, said: “Any organization can improve safety by carefully selecting the vehicles it uses.
“Global NCAP encourages all fleet managers both public and private to make ‘five-star’ safety their goal in the UN Decade of Action.
“By following Global NCAP’s new guidelines, it will be easier for organisations to ensure that the safety of their vehicle fleet provides acceptable levels of protection to their employees.”
Global NCAP also claim their guidelines will also help organisations wishing to adopt the new road traffic safety standard ISO 39001.
As well as calling for ‘five-star’ cars, the guidelines propose fleets ask manufacturers to confirm the vehicle passes the minimum United Nations safety regulations concerning seat belts, and front and side crash tests.
Vehicles that meet regulations for ESC and pedestrian protection are also rated as ‘strongly preferred’ and the new crash avoidance technology autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is ‘highly recommended’.
Max Mosley, Chairman of Global NCAP, said: “If a company provides a car for their staff to use, it should be as safe as reasonably possible.
“A five-star or Top Pick safety rating is the best indication of this.
“It’s prudent also to check whether cars also meet the UN’s minimum safety regulations.
“With so many global brands neglecting to apply these regulations, fleet managers and company car drivers should not assume basic safety comes as standard.”
Each year 1.3million people are killed and up to 50million injured in road crashes worldwide.
By 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts road crashes will become the fifth leading cause of death, rising to 2.4million fatalities per year.
