US Takes Major Step Towards Gender Equality in Vehicle Safety
The United States government has given its official endorsement to a new crash test dummy designed specifically to represent female physiques. This landmark move by the Department of Transportation follows decades of using a standard dummy based predominantly on male body types, despite women facing disproportionately higher risks on the road.
Addressing a Dangerous Disparity
Statistics reveal a troubling gender gap in road safety outcomes. Women are 73% more likely to be injured in a head-on collision and face a 17% higher likelihood of being killed in a car crash compared to men. This disparity has persisted while safety testing relied heavily on a dummy model developed in 1978, which was based on a 5-foot-9, 171-pound male physique.
The existing female dummy, which is smaller and includes a rubber jacket to represent breasts, has been routinely placed in the passenger or back seat during testing. It has seldom been positioned in the driver's seat, despite women constituting the majority of licensed drivers in the United States.
A More Anatomically Accurate Model
The newly endorsed female dummy represents a significant technological advancement. It more accurately reflects physiological differences between men and women, including variations in the shape of the neck, collarbone, pelvis, and legs. The sophisticated model is equipped with more than 150 sensors to gather comprehensive data during impact simulations.
Once a final rule is adopted, the Department of Transportation will consider using this advanced dummy in its influential five-star vehicle safety rating programme, potentially transforming how automakers design protection systems.
Political Support and Industry Hesitation
The announcement has received bipartisan political support. US Senators Deb Fischer, a Republican from Nebraska, and Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, both welcomed the development. "Any progress here is good because there's simply no good reason why women are more likely to be injured or die in car crashes," Duckworth stated.
Senator Fischer, who introduced the She Drives Act legislation requiring advanced testing devices including a female crash test dummy, emphasised that "It's far past time to make these testing standards permanent, which will help save thousands of lives." Duckworth serves as a co-sponsor of this legislation.
However, the path forward hasn't been entirely smooth. Some American automakers have expressed skepticism, suggesting the new model might exaggerate injury risks and potentially undermine the perceived effectiveness of existing safety features like seat belts and airbags. While transportation secretaries from the past two presidential administrations have supported updated crash test rules, practical developments have progressed slowly.
The Department of Transportation has confirmed that the new specifications will now be available for manufacturers to build models and for the automotive industry to begin comprehensive vehicle testing, marking a potential turning point in road safety for all drivers.
