STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 04, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- New crash test results are presented today by Folksam and the Swedish National Road Administration (SNRA). The tests show that there are seats without active systems for whiplash protection that can prevent whiplash injury in rear-end collisions, but there are also seats with active systems not protecting well.
"The fact that the equipment level doesn't tell the whole story shows that independent consumer crash testing is important and needed," says Anders Kullgren, head of research at Folksam.
"Crash testing is the fastest way to verify the protection level of a car seat independent of technical solution. An interesting example is the Ford C-Max's seats that protect well without active components," emphasizes Anders Kullgren.
14 Front Seats Tested
The aim of the tests is to demonstrate differences in car seats when studying the protection against whiplash injury in rear-end collisions. This time Folksam and the Swedish National Road Administration have tested 14 seat models. The tests are a continuation of a previously presented series of tests, where13 seat models were tested and published in June 2003. At the same time a study was presented that showed the effectiveness in whiplash injury prevention of modern anti whiplash seats from Volvo and Saab. These seats that were introduced in the late 1990s reduce the risk for whiplash injury with 40%. The results indicate that the problem with whiplash injuries could be halfed if all car manufacturers introduced seats that have whiplash protective systems as effective as Saab and Volvo seats.
The crash test results show that the risk to get a whiplash injury in a rear-end collision varies very much depending on the seat of the vehicle.
"We have tested each seat in three different tests and the differences in protection are very large. The consumers have good reasons to regard this safety information before buying a new car," comments Anders Lie, Vehicle safety expert at the Swedish National Road Administration. "The results from real life crashes and laboratory crash testing give the same message, pick a vehicle with good whiplash protection," continues Anders Lie.
The best seats this time came from Ford (C-Max), Volvo (S40), Nissan (Primera) and Saab (9-5). Audi A3 (model year 2004) had the lowest protection level.
"When Audi were told about their results the company immediately initiated a series of improvements that will be introduced in all Audi A3 after the summer (model year 2005). It is very satisfying when a manufacturer takes the results seriously and improves their product without time delay," comments Anders Lie.
"Opel Meriva has a straight forward possibility to improve their situation since that car model has a whiplash protection system as extra equipment. The Meriva seat with active head restraint shows good results in our tests but the seat without active restraints expose the driver to high risks," explains Anders Kullgren.
"We hope all car manufacturers give whiplash protection the attention this important injury deserves. Whiplash injuries is the major cause of long term disabilities in Sweden and a heavy burden both for the injured persons and on the society," Anders Kullgren ends.
These Tests Are Unique
"Sweden is a leader in whiplash research and whiplash testing. The Swedish National Road Administration hopes that Euro NCAP will take over the whiplash testing in the future," says Claes Tingvall, Road safety director at SNRA.
"Euro NCAP is considering how to perform whiplash testing and we hope they will decide and start testing within the next year. Even if an isolated Swedish initiative can do some good, it is probably when Euro NCAP starts that the real attention and the real improvements will come," Claes Tingvall continues.
Folksam has already introduced demands on good whiplash protection when buying or leasing cars. The Swedish National Road Administrations will introduce similar demands soon.
The full test results are available at www.folksam.se and www.vv.se
Pictures for free publication are available www.vv.se
For more information, plase contact:
Claes Tingvall, Traffic safety director, Swedish National Road Administration, +46 243-758 10 Anders Lie, Vehicle safety expert, Swedish National Road Administration, +46 705-80 18 45 Anders Kullgren, Head of road traffic safety research, Folksam, +46 8-772 74 35, +46 708-31 68 35
Lars Akerkvist, Press officer Folksam, +46 8-774 60 77, +46 708-31 60 07 Thomas Andersson, Press officer Swedish National Road Administration, +46 243- 75 138, +46 706-93 68 70
Vagverket
Swedish National Road Administration Head Office S-781 87 Borlange +4624375000
Press release Nr 40 2004-06-07
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