After nearly five decades of bureaucratic delays that left American women 73% more likely to suffer serious crash injuries, the Trump Administration finally mandates realistic female crash-test dummies to replace outdated 1970s models that have distorted vehicle safety design for generations.
Story Highlights
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy introduces THOR-05F female crash-test dummy after 45 years of federal delays.
- Women face 73% higher serious injury rates and 17% higher fatality rates in similar crashes compared to men.
- Current “female” dummy from the 1970s represents only the smallest 5% of women at 4’11” and 108 pounds.
- New advanced dummy features 150+ sensors and represents the average adult woman’s physiology.
- Full regulatory implementation expected by 2027-2028, ending decades of male-centered vehicle design.
Trump Administration Ends Decades of Safety Neglect
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday the long-overdue introduction of the THOR-05F advanced female crash-test dummy, marking the first time automakers will test vehicles using dummies that actually represent women’s physiology.
The move addresses a shocking safety disparity where women suffer 73% more serious injuries in head-on collisions and face 17% higher death rates as drivers or front-seat passengers.
Duffy pointedly criticized prior administrations for “years of delays” while emphasizing President Trump’s commitment to protecting American families.
NEW:
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveils the design details for the first-of-its-kind advanced female crash test dummy – known as the THOR-05F. pic.twitter.com/tUZ6s1uNLQ— Stephanie Myers (@_StephanieMyers) November 20, 2025
Outdated Federal Standards Endangered Women for Generations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has relied on the woefully inadequate Hybrid III “female” dummy since the 1970s, which represents only the smallest 5% of women at 4’11” and 108 pounds.
This outdated model has systematically distorted vehicle design for decades, creating a safety crisis hidden in plain sight. Humanetics CEO Chris O’Connor revealed that vehicles have been designed “around a male” baseline, leaving average-sized women vulnerable to preventable injuries and deaths.
Advanced Technology Finally Addresses Gender Safety Gap
The new THOR-05F dummy features over 150 sensors providing precise data across the entire body, including legs where female drivers face nearly 80% higher injury risk compared to men.
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison acknowledged the unacceptable delay but emphasized the importance of getting implementation right. Automakers can now purchase the THOR-05F and begin testing ahead of formal federal adoption, representing the first significant safety standard update since the 1980s.
Regulatory Implementation Targets 2027-2028 Rollout
Full regulatory implementation is expected around 2027 or 2028, giving manufacturers time to redesign vehicles with improved protections for female occupants. The new technical standards will allow automakers to address the alarming injury disparities that have persisted for decades due to male-centered crash testing.
This common-sense safety measure demonstrates how proper government action can protect citizens without expanding bureaucratic overreach, focusing on genuine safety improvements rather than politically motivated regulations that burden businesses without delivering real benefits to American families.
