Quick Guide
You can jump instantly to the main sections of our Vehicle Safety Hub using the links below:
Understanding Vehicle Safety
Vehicle safety covers a wide range of technologies, design features and independent assessments intended to help protect vehicle occupants and other road users.
Modern vehicle safety includes occupant protection, collision avoidance and driver assistance technologies, as well as systems designed to help drivers recognise and respond to developing hazards.
Our Vehicle Safety Hub brings together independent information about these technologies with searchable Euro NCAP safety ratings for cars and vans.
You can use the guides below to understand how different vehicle safety technologies work, their limitations and how they relate to wider vehicle safety assessment.
Vehicle Safety Ratings
Independent vehicle safety assessments provide information about how vehicles and their safety technologies perform under a range of defined test and assessment conditions.
Euro NCAP assessments consider several aspects of vehicle safety. These can include occupant protection, protection for vulnerable road users and the performance of collision avoidance and driver assistance technologies.
Safety ratings should be considered in the context of the assessment in which they were awarded. Test and assessment requirements develop over time, which means that ratings awarded in different years may have been assessed against different requirements.
Our Vehicle Safety Ratings Explained guide looks in more detail at what vehicle safety ratings represent and how they can be interpreted.
Driver Assistance Technologies
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) use information from cameras, radar, sensors and other vehicle systems to help the driver recognise and respond to particular driving situations.
The technologies fitted to individual vehicles vary considerably, as do their capabilities and limitations. Our guides explain some of the principal driver assistance technologies found in modern cars and vans.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Our Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) guide provides an introduction to modern driver assistance technologies and how they are designed to support the driver.
Collision Avoidance
Collision Avoidance explains technologies designed to identify possible collision risks and, depending on the system, warn the driver or provide assistance such as automatic emergency braking.
Lane Assistance
Lane Assistance explains Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance and Emergency Lane Keeping systems.
Speed Assistance
Speed Assistance looks at technologies designed to provide information or assistance relating to vehicle speed and recognised speed limits.
Blind Spot and Cross-Traffic Assistance
Blind Spot and Cross-Traffic Assistance explains systems designed to help identify vehicles and other road users in areas that may be difficult for the driver to observe directly.
Driver Monitoring
Driver Monitoring explains technologies designed to identify possible fatigue, distraction or reduced driver attention and provide an appropriate warning or other form of assistance.
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Explore Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
You can search our vehicle safety information to explore Euro NCAP safety ratings for cars, electric cars, vans and electric vans.
Independent Vehicle Information
DriveSmart provides independent information designed to help motorists, self-employed drivers, businesses and fleet operators understand vehicle ownership.
Our searchable vehicle databases combine technical specifications, taxation, running costs, grants and safety information, allowing users to compare vehicles using consistent, structured data.
Whether you are choosing a family car, an electric company car or a commercial van, our aim is to help you understand the facts before making your decision.
Important Safety Information
Vehicle safety ratings, safety technologies and driver assistance systems provide useful information and assistance, but they cannot determine whether a vehicle will avoid a collision or protect its occupants in every situation.
The availability, operation and limitations of individual safety technologies vary between vehicles, manufacturers and vehicle specifications. Drivers should familiarise themselves with the systems fitted to their vehicle and follow the information and instructions provided by the vehicle manufacturer.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are designed to assist the driver. They do not replace the need for the driver to remain attentive, maintain control of the vehicle and respond appropriately to road, traffic and weather conditions.
The driver is still responsible for the safe operation and control of the vehicle at all times.
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