Occupant Restraint Systems (ORS) are an essential component of automobile safety. They are designed to keep the occupants of a vehicle safe in the event of an accident. These systems work by restraining the occupants of the vehicle and reducing the forces experienced during a collision.
In Europe, the Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) requires all new cars to have specific ORS that meet certain standards.
ORS requirements that car manufacturers must meet:
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▶ Seat Belts: Seat belts are the primary restraint system in vehicles. They are designed to keep occupants in their seats during an accident and to reduce the risk of injury. In Europe, all vehicles must have seat belts that meet specific standards, including lap and diagonal belts in the front seats, and three-point belts in the rear seats.
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▶ Airbags: Airbags are designed to protect occupants from injuries to the head, neck, and chest during an accident. In Europe, all new vehicles must have front and side airbags as standard.
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▶ Child Restraint Systems: Child Restraint Systems (CRS) are designed to protect children from injuries during an accident. In Europe, all new vehicles must have CRS that meet specific standards, including ISOFIX anchor points for securing child seats.
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▶ Head Restraints: Head restraints are designed to prevent whiplash injuries during an accident. In Europe, all new vehicles must have head restraints that meet specific standards.
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▶ Electronic Stability Control: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a safety feature that helps to prevent accidents by detecting and reducing skidding. In Europe, all new vehicles must have ESC as standard.
