Euro NCAP highlights big differences in HGV safety

The safety of the trucks on European roads is in the spotlight after Euro NCAP revealed the first set of results for its brand-new TRUCK SAFE assessment programme earlier this month. 

Out of nine trucks assessed, Volvo’s FH Aero and FM models both earned a maximum five-star rating, while IVECO’s current S-WAY model emerged as the weakest performer with one star.

Because of their size and weight, HGV crashes are the most severe on European roads. 

Although trucks account for less than 3% of the traffic fleet in Europe, they are responsible for 15% of road deaths.

Euro NCAP says objective measures of HGV safety performance will allow all stakeholders that rely on the haulage sector to select the safest trucks and play a part in reducing the societal cost of road transport, while also helping to generate better commercial outcomes.

The first cohort to be tested under the TRUCK SAFE protocols were nine trucks from the fleet long-haul segment. The nine trucks selected for testing represent 95% of the trucks in this category that are currently on Europe’s roads.