Global NCAP Safety Rating: Explained

The Global New Car Assessment Programme is the flagship initiative of Towards Zero Foundation, which is a UK-based charity. Global NCAP works towards ensuring motor vehicle safety to maintain a safe environment for people on the road.

The programme tests new cars and checks if they have maintained the safety standards prescribed by the UN and the participating countries. They do this by publishing the results of the Global NCAP crash test.

The Global NCAP was established to promote vehicle crash testing and reporting in emerging markets and to enhance coordination between regional NCAP tests. Since 2014, the Global NCAP has tested frontal safety in crashes of passenger vehicles in India under the ‘Safer Cars for India’ project.

The Global NCAP follows different protocols based on the country. Their new car assessment follows certain guidelines for crash testing to guarantee vehicular safety, like frontal crash testing and side impact testing protocols.

The Global NCAP crash test uses dummies fitted with sensors which compile data on the test. They follow the protocols given below to award a safety rating.

** Adult Safety Assessment Protocol**

The adult safety assessment protocol measures the safety of an adult passenger or driver. The total score is 16 and is marked on various factors such as injury caused to critical parts of the human body like head, legs, pelvis, femur, chest, knee and foot.

A car gets extra points on certain things, such as reminders to wear seatbelts, the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), etc.

Child Safety Assessment Protocol

The child safety assessment is performed on dummies modelling three-year-olds and one-and-half-year-olds. The overall score given is 49 and is based on the same body parts as the adult. The dummies are seated on ISOFIX bases, on which car seats are affixed for the safety of the children.

Apart from these, Global NCAP also awards points based on the safety of pedestrians.

Planning to buy a new car? Learning the Global NCAP rating is a pretty crucial step before you buy one. Not only do you get to learn about the parameters that decide whether your dream car will keep you safe and sound, but you can also check whether it offers you value for money.

This is because sometimes cars that have all the latest safety features can be more expensive than others.

Informed Choices: Global NCAP provides car owners with knowledge that makes car purchases more convenient. If you know the NCAP car safety ratings in India, you can buy a car that is better suited to your requirements.

Safety Assurance: NCAP tests are reliable, and you may depend on them to assure your safety and that of your loved ones while riding the car. It can also help you prevent accidentally injuring others.

The safety features in your car can save you from a lot of hassle and also protect you in case of accidents. The Global NCAP crash test can help you determine how safe a car is.

The Global NCAP rating for Indian cars is published from time to time, displaying the adult and child safety ranking for each car tested.

Here are some of the top cars ranked according to their safety rating under the Global NCAP India protocols (in no particular order).

As mentioned before, the NCAP test may vary from country to country, which means you cannot really get a standardised system of scoring. Global NCAP tries to promote safety standards set by the United Nations (UN) and promote the cars that meet the criteria, but there are still certain differences.

For example, the Euro NCAP tests for side impact, frontal impact, full frontal impact and side pole impact test, while the Global NCAP only tests for frontal offset test.

The Global NCAP tests measure head-on collisions with another car. The Euro NCAP tests also check the impact of a car driving into an immovable object or barrier, pole or tree.

Maintaining a safe environment for everybody on the road while you are driving is of utmost importance. While buying a car with a good Global NCAP rating is a good idea, you also play an essential role in maintaining your safety. Here’s a list of important safety tips that you can use.

• Before buying a car, take it for a test drive to see how it runs. Check the manoeuvrability, brake systems, seat belts, collision avoidance system, head-up display, etc., to see if everything is working properly.

• Take advantage of the after-sales service options provided by the car dealership. If you are facing any problems after buying your car, you can ask them for technical assistance. This also includes taking care of any product defects that you may have missed the first time.

• Take your car for periodic maintenance services to resolve any issues arising from regular wear and tear.

• Following traffic signals religiously is an important factor towards keeping yourself and others safe.

• Always wear your seatbelt, whether you are driving or travelling as a passenger. This not only shields you from serious injuries in case of accidents but is also a legal requirement.

• Stick to your lane. Maintaining lane discipline is a must, even in busy streets and heavy traffic. If you must change lanes, always remember to signal other cars by flashing your indicator lights.

• Be aware of your surroundings while driving. Avoid distractions like loud music, talking on your cell phone and the like.

• Remember to have a good night’s sleep before embarking on a long drive. Take breaks in between, as this helps you stay alert when driving.

• Be prepared for bad weather and use your car’s features like windshield wipers, fog lights, etc. Check whether your tires are in good condition before you drive on wet, flooded or snowed-down roads.

• Do not cross the speed limit set up by the authorities. Keeping to the same speed allows you greater control over your car.

Buying a car with a high NCAP rating, keeping calm while driving and following traffic regulations are crucial when you are driving, as this allows you to make good decisions. But some things might be beyond our control.

You may end up causing injury or damage to a third party or to yourself and your car. Such damage can lead to excessive expenses and may also have legal consequences.

Therefore, having effective four-wheeler insurance is the need of the hour. TATA AIG offers you a wide range of car insurance plans that help you recover from any potential financial losses in case of an accident. With our quick and easy car insurance claim process, getting reimbursed or making a cashless settlement is super convenient.

You might have often heard the adage, “Your safety is in your hands.” While the Global NCAP initiative does make a large part of that true, you should still take utmost care while driving your car. Checking the NCAP rating can prove to be invaluable, especially when buying a car.

Moreover, a car insurance policy can come in handy during difficult times arising from incidents like theft, personal accidents and car crashes. Stay prepared, plan ahead and go on that journey in your very own car.

1. Is Global NCAP testing mandatory in India?

No, Global NCAP is not legally compulsory. However, your car does have to follow the standards set by the Indian government.

2. What is Global NCAP full form?

The full form of Global NCAP is the Global New Car Assessment Programme.

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