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U.S. transportation officials announced significant design changes to female crash test dummies Thursday, potentially replacing outdated models that have been criticized for decades as inadequate representations of women’s bodies in vehicle safety testing.
The Department of Transportation is proposing a new female crash test dummy that more accurately reflects anatomical differences between men and women, including the shape of the neck, collarbone, pelvis, and legs. The proposed dummy would be equipped with over 150 sensors to better measure impact forces in collisions.
“Once a final rule is adopted, we will consider using the new dummy in the government’s vehicle crash test five-star ratings,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a news release.
The announcement addresses a longstanding safety disparity in automotive testing. Women are 73% more likely to be injured in a head-on crash and 17% more likely to be killed in car accidents than men, according to safety data.
The standard crash test dummy currently used in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) five-star vehicle testing program was developed in 1978. It was modeled after a 5-foot-9, 171-pound man, dimensions that fail to represent the average female body. The current female dummy is simply a smaller version of the male model with a rubber jacket to represent breasts, and it’s rarely tested in the driver’s position despite women making up the majority of licensed drivers.
Maria Weston Kuhn, a law student who began lobbying Congress after surviving a serious crash in 2019, welcomed Duffy’s announcement but expressed caution about celebrating too soon.
“I fear that with this announcement everybody will throw up their hands and say we’ve won,” Kuhn said. “But we are far from crossing the finish line.” Her advocacy began after a traumatic incident in Ireland where her seat belt slid off her hips during a crash, resulting in ruptured intestines – an injury pattern more common in female bodies.
The proposed changes face resistance from some industry stakeholders. Several American automakers have expressed skepticism, suggesting the new model might exaggerate injury risks and potentially undermine the effectiveness ratings of existing safety features like seat belts and airbags.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a research organization funded by auto insurers, maintains that current testing equipment is adequate. “Our researchers are content and confident that the dummies we’re using are doing a good job,” said IIHS spokesperson Joe Young, though he noted they would continue to monitor developments in crash test technology.
The initiative has garnered bipartisan support in Congress. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) have championed the She Drives Act, legislation that would mandate the use of the most advanced testing devices available, including properly designed female crash test dummies.
“It’s far past time to make these testing standards permanent, which will help save thousands of lives and make America’s roads safer for all drivers,” Fischer said.
Duckworth added, “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.”
The announcement represents the latest attempt to address a safety gap that has persisted despite statements of support from lawmakers and transportation officials across multiple administrations. According to the Department of Transportation, the new specifications will be made available for manufacturers to begin building models and for the automotive industry to incorporate them into vehicle testing protocols.
The timeline for full implementation remains unclear, as previous efforts to update crash test standards have faced repeated delays. If adopted, the change would represent one of the most significant updates to vehicle safety testing methodologies in decades, potentially improving protection for the 51% of the population that has historically been underrepresented in automotive safety design.
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10 Comments
While this is a positive step, I wonder if it goes far enough. Will the new dummy account for a range of female body types, or just one standardized model? More diversity in testing would be ideal.
That’s a fair point. The article doesn’t specify if this is just a single female dummy or if there will be variations to represent different sizes and shapes. Comprehensive testing is crucial for truly equitable vehicle safety.
It’s about time we saw progress on this issue. The safety disparities between men and women in car accidents are unacceptable. This new dummy is long overdue, but a welcome improvement.
Agreed. With over 150 sensors, this dummy should provide much more detailed data to help automakers design vehicles that better protect female occupants.
While the proposed changes are a step in the right direction, I’m curious to see how the new female dummy will be implemented in real-world testing. Will it become the new industry standard, or will automakers still have the option to use the outdated model?
That’s a valid question. The article mentions the government is considering using the new dummy in its vehicle safety ratings, but it’s unclear if this will be mandatory. Consistent adoption across the industry will be key to ensuring the changes have a meaningful impact.
This is an encouraging development, but the government should also consider updating the male crash test dummy. Anatomical differences between genders go both ways, and the existing male model may also be outdated.
That’s a good observation. Improving safety for all vehicle occupants, regardless of gender, should be the ultimate goal. Updating both male and female dummies would be ideal.
This is an important step towards improving vehicle safety for women. The current crash test dummies don’t accurately represent the anatomical differences between men and women. Updating these models could lead to safer car designs that better protect female drivers and passengers.
Absolutely. Women have been underrepresented in vehicle safety testing for far too long. This new dummy should provide more accurate data to help make cars safer for everyone.