Side Mobile Barrier

Side crashes account for the second highest frequency of death and serious injuries. Compared to a frontal impact, there is very little space inside the vehicle interior in which to absorb energy and severe injuries to the head and the chest are common.

SIDE CRASHES ACCOUNT FOR THE SECOND HIGHEST FREQUENCY OF DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURIES.

In Euro NCAP’s test, a deformable barrier is mounted on a trolley and is driven at 60 km/h into the side of the stationary test vehicle at right angles. A side impact dummy representing an average male is put in the driver’s seat and child dummies are placed in child restraint systems in the rear.

The test ensures that there is adequate protection of the critical body regions. This has driven the strengthening the structures of vehicles around the B-pillar (between the doors), the fitment of side impact or curtain airbags in cars but also the development of less obvious energy-absorbing structures in seats and door panels. The timing and deployment of airbags must be very carefully controlled to ensure that they provide the greatest protection possible.

 Introduced in 1997. Upgraded in 2020.