The Honda Accord is one of the safest cars on the road, according to the new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP.

Euro NCAP has developed a new rating scheme which focuses on the vehicle’s overall safety performance, and has awarded the Accord 5 stars. This replaces the previous rating system, where the Accord had a 5 star adult occupant, 4 star child occupant and 3 star pedestrian protection scores.

The new rating scheme uses a weighted score, combining many aspects of a car’s safety performance: adult (50 per cent), child (20 per cent) and pedestrian (20 per cent) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices (10 per cent). A minimum score of 70 per cent overall is necessary to achieve a 5-star rating. To qualify for inclusion, the safety assistance devices (Honda calls its system VSA) must be fitted, as standard across 85 per cent of the EU 27 2009 model range.

The Euro NCAP 5 star Honda Accord is a top performer in this new overall EuroNCAP vehicle safety rating system with an overall weighted score of 78 per cent and will be the main focus of a Honda safety exhibit at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

Passive and dynamic systems
In addition to the safety performance aspects rated by Euro NCAP, the Accord has a range of passive safety and dynamic safety systems delivering even greater security.

Vehicle Stability Assist
VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) is standard across the range and is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque output as required.

Motion Adaptive EPS
The new Accord also features an innovative system in which the capabilities of both VSA and the car's Electric Power Steering are brought to bear. Called Motion Adaptive EPS, it detects instability in slippery conditions both during cornering and under braking and automatically initiates steering inputs aimed at prompting the driver to steer in the correct direction.

The input is barely noticeable and control of the steering remains with the driver at all times. But this supporting steering torque is enough to prompt the driver to act intuitively and the driver's reaction as a result is enough to regain stability or to shorten braking distances, allowing control to be maintained.

Advanced Driving Assist System optional across the range
Available as an option on the EX grade of the 2.2 i-DTEC and 2.4 i-VTEC is Honda's Advanced Driving Assist System (ADAS), a suite of three ground-breaking technologies that raise safety to a new level.

Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS)
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) uses a camera to detect the car deviating from a traffic lane and provides steering torque when necessary, thereby reducing the burden of motorway driving while at the same time enhancing safety.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses millimetre-wave radar to maintain a consistent distance to a vehicle directly in front, for more relaxed, less tiring driving.

Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS)
Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) monitors the following distance and closing rate between the Accord and the car directly in front of it, warning the driver when a collision is likely and helping reduce impact when a collision becomes unavoidable.

These systems complement the Accord's passive safety features which include front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters, front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, full length curtain airbags and ISOFIX fittings and tether anchor points for secure child seat fixture on all models.

To minimise whiplash