2026 Car Safety Overhaul: ANCAP Outlines Revised Standards Enhancing Vehicle Safety
In the automotive world, ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) is gearing up for a significant change in its safety ratings system, set to take effect in 2026. The independent organisation, providing vehicle safety ratings for Australia and New Zealand since 1992, is introducing a new focus on emerging safety concerns, particularly in the areas of driver distraction and post-crash safety.
The new focus will be structured under the 'Stages of Safety' program, with four categories: Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection, and Post Crash. The Safe Driving category will zero in on distracting driver aids and touchscreen-based core functions, aiming to encourage manufacturers to prioritise touchscreen systems that support the driver and avoid distraction.
In the Post Crash category, ANCAP is placing more emphasis on de-energizing high-voltage vehicles and extracting people from crashed or submerged vehicles. This shift comes in response to the rare but potential threat of battery fires in crashes, particularly in new high-voltage systems, which can cause fires in the days or weeks after an impact.
However, the changes have not been without controversy. Some companies have criticised ANCAP for promoting a five-star or nothing narrative, and for making tough decisions to not import vehicles that may lack certain active safety features. Hoorweg, ANCAP's CEO, has refuted these claims, stating that ANCAP's language remains intentionally neutral in its approach to the star ratings.
Moreover, some manufacturers are accused of trying to push lower safety standards by bringing in products from markets that don't meet these standards. These allegations highlight the importance of ANCAP's role in maintaining high safety standards in the Australasian automotive industry.
In addition to these changes, ANCAP is also focusing on the difference between crash avoidance and crash protection. The new 'Crash Avoidance' pillar will encompass the existing categories, which assess the effectiveness of autonomous driving features, actual structural crash performance, and the protection of occupants and vulnerable road users.
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has also commented on the overuse of touchscreens in vehicles, echoing ANCAP's concerns about driver distraction. The introduction of the new 'Safe Driving' category is expected to give ANCAP the ability to target frustrating safety systems and distracting touchscreen-controls.
Currently, ANCAP only assesses commercial vans in non-destructive tests, but the introduction of a 'medallion system' has seen rapid safety updates in this segment. The new scoring regime is set to further drive safety improvements across the board.
As we move towards 2026, the automotive industry in Australia and New Zealand can expect a more rigorous and comprehensive approach to vehicle safety ratings, with ANCAP leading the charge in ensuring road safety for all.
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