US Unveils New Crash Test Dummy for Women's Safety

• The US unveiled a new crash test dummy in order to improve safety for females in cars
• It may be added to the government’s five-star safety rating system upon approval
• Women have a 73% increased risk of injury in head-on collisions compared to men

The new U.S. government crash-test dummy is designed to improve vehicle safety outcomes for women. In a release, the Department of Transportation said it will consider incorporating the new model into the federal five-star safety rating system after a final rule is passed.

Data indicates that women are 73 percent more likely than men to be injured in head-on crashes and 17 percent more likely to die in a car crash.

The NHTSA's current standard crash test dummy was designed in 1978, based on the height and weight of an average man.

The female dummy in use today is smaller, with a rubber chest to simulate breasts, but it is often used in passenger or back-seat testing instead of in the driver's seat-even though the majority of licensed drivers are women.

The newly endorsed female dummy is designed to more accurately represent anatomical differences between men and women, including neck, collarbone, pelvis, and legs variations.

According to the Department of Transportation, it also includes more than 150 sensors for detailed data collection.

The accuracy of the model has been questioned by some US automakers, who have expressed concern that overstatement of injury risks would lower the perceived effectiveness of safety features like seat belts and airbags. Updating crash test standards has taken several years and spanned a number of administrations.

Senators Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois hailed the announcement, citing the need for better safety testing for women.

Deb has sponsored the She Drives Act, which includes a requirement for advanced testing devices, including female crash test dummies. Duckworth is a cosponsor.

The Transportation Department said the technical specifications of the new dummy will be made available to manufacturers so they can begin testing and development.