GNCAP Urges Corporate Fleet Owners to Choose Five-Star Rated Vehicles for Employee Safety

Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) has released an updated FleetSafe guide urging corporate and fleet owners to prioritize vehicle safety by selecting cars with five-star safety ratings and those meeting UN safety standards.

David Ward, President Emeritus of GNCAP, emphasized that work-related crashes account for approximately one-third of global road deaths, making driving one of the most significant risks faced by employees worldwide. The revised guidelines aim to assist fleet managers in making safer vehicle purchasing decisions based on the latest safety recommendations.

"Using Global NCAP's guidelines and adopting a five-star commitment will be the best way for fleet managers to meet their duty of care for employees, reduce the costs of road crashes, and demonstrate real commitment towards Corporate Social Responsibility," Ward stated at a conference on 'Vehicle and Fleet Safety' held at the Institute of Road Traffic Education.

Ward noted that improved vehicle selection and purchasing practices can significantly contribute to ensuring safer vehicles enter fleets, protecting employee health and well-being while helping to reduce road fatalities globally.

GNCAP also highlighted safety concerns regarding two-wheelers, which account for a substantial portion of global vehicle sales. With over 1.1 billion two-wheelers sold worldwide, Ward stressed the need for implementing multiple safety measures, particularly in countries like India where two-wheelers represent 44% of road fatalities.

For two-wheeler safety, GNCAP recommends anti-lock brakes (ABS) for all motorcycles capable of speeds above 50 km/h. Ward acknowledged India as a world leader in ABS standards but suggested extending the current mandate beyond 125cc motorcycles.

"Since ABS has been a successful intervention to reduce the risk of road crashes and fatalities involving two-wheelers, this should be a feature in all motorized two-wheelers above 50cc," Ward added.

GNCAP, established in 2011, is an independent car assessment program that conducts crash tests and provides safety ratings for vehicles across global markets. The organization's five-star rating system has become an influential benchmark for consumers and manufacturers alike, encouraging the production of safer vehicles through market competition rather than regulation alone.