Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A recent Euro NCAP investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in both the physical rear guards and the crash-avoidance technology of trucks and trailers in Europe.
This safety gap leads to trailer rear underrun collisions—where a passenger car slides beneath a heavy goods vehicle (HGV)—causing roughly 400 fatalities each year in the EU and the UK.
Crash tests conducted at 56 km/h demonstrated that trailers built to Europe's mandatory safety standards fail to prevent fatal passenger injuries, crushing even five-star rated vehicles.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that older Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) often fail to detect real-world stationary trailers, making physical guards the vital line of defense.
To remedy this, Euro NCAP is urging European and UK regulators to upgrade mandatory safety standards to match the stricter "ToughGuard" benchmark successfully used in the US.
Additionally, the safety organization has called on trailer manufacturers to proactively develop retrofit solutions to fix existing fleets currently on the road.
Source : Euro NCAP
Full results: euroncap.com/press-media/euro-ncap-reveals-fatal-flaws-in-trailer-underrun-safety-that-cost-400-lives-every-year
A recent Euro NCAP investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in both the physical rear guards and the crash-avoidance technology of trucks and trailers in Europe.
This safety gap leads to trailer rear underrun collisions—where a passenger car slides beneath a heavy goods vehicle (HGV)—causing roughly 400 fatalities each year in the EU and the UK.
Crash tests conducted at 56 km/h demonstrated that trailers built to Europe's mandatory safety standards fail to prevent fatal passenger injuries, crushing even five-star rated vehicles.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that older Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) often fail to detect real-world stationary trailers, making physical guards the vital line of defense.
To remedy this, Euro NCAP is urging European and UK regulators to upgrade mandatory safety standards to match the stricter "ToughGuard" benchmark successfully used in the US.
Additionally, the safety organization has called on trailer manufacturers to proactively develop retrofit solutions to fix existing fleets currently on the road.
Source : Euro NCAP
Full results: euroncap.com/press-media/euro-ncap-reveals-fatal-flaws-in-trailer-underrun-safety-that-cost-400-lives-every-year
