Passive safety
Passive safety features are features and systems that mitigate the consequences of accidents. Generally speaking, these features only take effect at the time of the accident.
Unlike active safety features, passive safety features only come into play at the time of an accident. These are structural devices designed to minimise the consequences of a crash.
Examples of passive safety features:
- afe design of the body, steering column and pedal group
- appropriate design of seats and head restraints
- seat belts and seat belt pretensioners
- child seats, ISOFIX and LATCH features
- post-crash systems in Europe eCall in America OnStar
- pedestrian protection systems such as active bonnet
- airbags
- …
Passive and active safety features are extensively tested by independent organisations. In Europe, this is primarily Euro NCAP or IIHS, and in the USA, NHTSA.
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