NCAP rear impact whiplash test
The whiplash insurance gravy train could be running into the buffers as the Euro NCAP regime tightens its rulebook for rear end collisions.
A so-called 'war on whiplash' will use tests devised by UK road safety research centre Thatcham, an insurance-company funded operation that claims to have made pioneering advances in the field of seat collision testing.
It’s no wonder Thatcham has an interest in the whiplash phenomena – figures for 2007 show more than 430,000 individuals claimed they had suffered a whiplash injury, accounting for £1.9 billion of insurance payouts.
The new tests look certain to focus manufacturer attention on new car seat design, as even models offering 5 star protection under the current occupant safety tests have been found wanting in the whiplash department – Thatcham points its finger at the Citroen C5, Ford Kuga and Peugeot 308 CC as particular culprits.
Models that performed well include the Volvo XC60, Audi A4, GM Insignia, Alfa Romeo Mito and the VW Golf VI.
The sled-mounted seat testing for whiplash protection will be included in all Euro NCAP occupant safety testing from February next year.
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4 3"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)