Creating a market for safety - 10 years of Euro NCAP - European New Car Assessment Programme 2005.

This publication provides a brief history of EURP NCAP and its achievements in the first 10 years of its existence. The new car assessment programme was originally suggested by TRL Ltd and taken up by the UK Department ofTransport in 1995. Discussions with other European countries were held and the first set of comparative tests was undertaken in the same year. The Federale Internationale de l'Automobile promoted the organisation and the number of European countries joining it increased. In July 1997 the Volvo S40 became the first car to obtain four stars for occupant protection. TheRenault Laguna became the first car to achieve five stars for occupant protection in 2001. The side impact pole test was introduced in 2000. Vehicle occupant knee protection, pedestrian protection, child protection, intelligent safety belt reminders, and electronic stability control are discussed in the context of EURO NCAP. External studies on the effectiveness of car secondary safety are outlined. The EURO NCAP impact tests are described. Awards, the EURP NCAP members and the test laboratories used are listed.