A THOR-5F female crash test dummy is shown in a driver’s seat at Humanetics in Farmington Hills, Mich., June 10, 2025.
Paul Sancya/AP
Paul Sancya/AP
In a significant development for automotive safety, the U.S. government has unveiled a new crash test dummy designed specifically to enhance vehicle safety for women. This design aims to address alarming statistics that reveal women face a 73% higher likelihood of injury and a 17% greater risk of death in car accidents compared to their male counterparts.
The Department of Transportation announced that it will contemplate employing this female dummy in its vehicle crash testing protocols, which contribute to the five-star safety ratings once finalized. This move underscores a shift towards more inclusive safety standards in an industry reliant on historically male-centric testing methodologies.
Historically, the standard crash test dummy utilized in safety evaluations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was introduced in 1978 and is modeled after an average male, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 171 pounds. Although a female version exists, it is typically deployed in non-driving positions, such as the passenger or back seat, despite the fact that women comprise a significant portion of licensed drivers.
The newly endorsed THOR-5F female crash test dummy presents a more accurate representation of female anatomy. It incorporates design adjustments to better embody differences in neck, collarbone, pelvis, and leg structure. Additionally, it features over 150 sensors to capture a broad range of data during crash simulations, enhancing the accuracy of safety assessments for vehicles.
However, the introduction of this new model has met skepticism from certain American automotive manufacturers, who express concern that it might amplify perceived risks of injuries and potentially undermine the efficacy of existing safety features, such as airbags and seatbelts.
Support for modernizing crash test protocols has garnered bipartisan backing over several administrations, though tangible progress has been slow. U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (Republican) and Tammy Duckworth (Democrat) expressed their endorsement of the new design, emphasizing the necessity for improved safety standards. Duckworth articulated, “Any progress here is good because there’s simply no good reason why women are more likely to be injured or die in car crashes.” Fischer, who introduced the She Drives Act, which aims to mandate the use of advanced testing devices including the female dummy, underscored the urgency for implementing these testing standards to enhance road safety for all drivers.
The Department of Transportation has stated that new specifications are set to be made available for manufacturers, allowing the automotive industry to begin integrating these advanced models into their testing procedures.
