Irritating Driver Assistance Beeps Receive Their Last Warning | Carscoops

      New 2026 Euro NCAP protocols will evaluate troublesome driver aids, revamp crash scoring, and require EV door handles to function post-impact.

      20 hours ago

      by Chris Chilton

      Euro NCAP’s revisions introduce more realistic, consumer-oriented tests.

      ADAS systems will be assessed based on their usefulness, irritations, and actual driving scenarios.

      EV door handles must remain operational after collisions to assist rescuers.

      Euro NCAP is refining its safety evaluation methods. The organization responsible for the beloved star ratings is implementing a significant transformation of its testing program for 2026, which includes stricter measures on the annoying ADAS alerts common in contemporary vehicles.

      More: Tesla Fined Over a Single Term in Driver Assistance Assessments, Potentially Costly

      The overhaul categorizes vehicle safety into four distinct phases: Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection, and Post-Crash Safety. Each phase will receive its own score, with star ratings reflecting strong performance across all categories.

      The goal is for cars to prevent accidents, protect occupants when incidents occur, and facilitate prompt rescue efforts.

      What Will Change on the Road?

      One of the most significant updates addresses a serious issue that has led to tragic outcomes. Electric vehicles equipped with pop-out or powered door handles will now be mandated to ensure those handles remain operational even after a collision.

      Emergency services have frequently voiced concern that certain EVs become inoperable following an impact, delaying rescues and, in severe cases, resulting in fatalities. Euro NCAP aims to rectify this issue promptly.

      Driver assistance technologies are also receiving a long overdue evaluation grounded in real-world conditions. Previously, the majority of ADAS assessments took place on closed tracks, where systems operated flawlessly.

      However, in real-world scenarios, automatic lane-keeping may unexpectedly take control of the steering, and constant alerts can drive drivers to disable these safety features, undermining their intended purpose.

      Incentives for Controls

      From 2026, cars will receive additional points for advanced driver-monitoring systems that genuinely monitor distracted drivers rather than merely detecting blinks. Vehicles may also earn credit for identifying signs of alcohol or drug impairment and taking appropriate action.

      Additionally, a long-anticipated change will finally recognize vehicles that retain conventional physical buttons for essential controls, as drivers have expressed significant frustration with all-touchscreen interfaces.

      Related: EU Regulators Indicate Drivers Are Suffering in Cars with Electric Door Handles

      Crash avoidance tests will broaden to encompass more realistic scenarios that involve motorcyclists, cyclists, and urban hazards.

      Smooth operation is also key; lane support systems that erratically steer the wheel will lose points even if they technically avoid a collision, and there will be incentives for vehicles that detect when the driver presses the accelerator instead of the brake.

      Diverse Dummies

      Crash protection evaluations will become more comprehensive. Dummies representing various body types, ages, and sizes will be utilized to accurately reflect the range of individuals who occupy vehicles, aligning with similar initiatives in US crash testing.

      Furthermore, simulations and sled tests will supplement full crash tests for enhanced precision, providing more detailed information about side-impact protection and pedestrian risk related to structural components like the windshield.

      Also: Senators Advocate for Lower Car Prices, Even If It Means Sacrificing Automatic Braking

      Finally, the post-crash segment receives a contemporary update with new regulations for EV battery isolation, the previously mentioned door handle requirements, and automated SOS functions that must inform first responders about the number of occupants in the vehicle, even if seatbelts are unfastened.

      Electric vehicles must also alert drivers to battery fire risks, even after an accident.

      These new protocols mark the most significant revision of NCAP testing since 2009, but we won't have to wait another 17 years for the next major update. The organization plans to refresh its protocols every three years starting in 2026, reflecting the rapid advancements in assistance technology in new vehicles.