Both Australia and the United States of America conduct consumer crash testing programs to assess vehicle crash performance. A 1993 analysis showed that the performance of Australian vehicles was inferior to that of equivalent US vehicles. This paper reviews the relative crash performance of 1995 model Australian and US vehicles. Full frontal crash data was compared for light, compact, medium weight vehicles, four wheel drive vehicles, and light utilities (pickups). Offset crash data was compared for medium and four wheel drive vehicles. Analysis shows that Australian occupants are still offered inferior crash protection compared to equivalent US model vehicles. The safety equipment fitted, which may contribute to these results, are compared. (A)
Samenvatting