The U.S. federal government is initiating a requirement for car manufacturers to utilize crash test dummies representative of women in vehicle safety testing, aiming to address higher injury and fatality rates for women in car crashes.
This move follows decades of advocacy and advances in crash test dummy technology. Current safety standards, established in the 1980s, have predominantly relied on a male-based crash test dummy, leading to vehicles that may not adequately protect female occupants.
Recent studies indicate women are significantly more likely to be seriously injured and killed in similar car crash scenarios compared to men. The newly unveiled advanced female crash test dummy, THOR-05F, is designed with female anatomy in mind and incorporates extensive sensors to better assess injury risks to parts of the body where women are more vulnerable, such as legs, brain, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.
While the THOR-05F has been available, its adoption has been slow. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has now released design specifications, allowing automakers to begin acquiring and testing with the dummy, even before its formal adoption into ratings and rule-making, which is anticipated around 2027 or 2028.
This action is viewed as a critical step towards updating long-outdated safety standards and informing the design of safer vehicles for all occupants.
