While the Biden administration dragged its feet for decades, President Trump’s DOT is now mandating real female crash-test dummies—a move exposing years of government neglect that put American women at risk.
Story Snapshot
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) will require automakers to use realistic female crash-test dummies for the first time ever.
- Women have historically faced far higher injury and fatality rates in vehicle crashes due to outdated safety standards.
- The Trump administration criticized past delays and pledged to prioritize the safety of all Americans, especially women.
- New standards will push automakers to design safer vehicles for female drivers and passengers, correcting decades of oversight.
DOT Issues Long-Delayed Mandate for Female Crash-Test Dummies
The Department of Transportation, under President Trump’s leadership, has announced that U.S. automakers will soon be required to use advanced female crash-test dummies in their safety evaluations.
This marks the first time the industry must test vehicle safety around the size and physiology of American women, rather than relying on smaller, outdated models.
For decades, the lack of realistic female dummies has contributed to significant disparities in safety outcomes, highlighting the urgency and necessity of this overdue regulatory update.
Until now, the dummies used in federal crash tests have not represented the average American woman. The only federally approved “female” dummy, created in the 1970s, stands just 4’11” and weighs 108 pounds—representing only the smallest 5% of women.
This model failed to reflect the anatomical realities of most female drivers and passengers, leading to vehicle designs that prioritized male safety and left women especially vulnerable in serious accidents. The new THOR-05F dummy, equipped with over 150 sensors, finally addresses this critical gap in automotive safety.
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
Years of Neglect Under Prior Administrations
Despite overwhelming evidence from federal studies showing women are 73% more likely to suffer serious injuries and 17% more likely to die in crashes compared to men, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) delayed action for nearly 45 years.
Advanced female dummies like the THOR-05F existed for years, but bureaucratic inertia and misplaced priorities under previous administrations left American women exposed to unnecessary risk.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison both acknowledged the delays and emphasized the Trump administration’s commitment to correcting these failures.
DOT officials have stressed that the new standards are the first major update since the 1980s. These changes will allow automakers to begin designing vehicles with better protection for female occupants, with full regulatory implementation expected by 2027 or 2028.
The Trump administration made it clear that past inaction was unacceptable, positioning this reform as a decisive break with years of government neglect and political distractions that failed to prioritize family safety.
Safer Vehicles for American Families
Humanetics, the Michigan-based company producing the new dummies, has demonstrated the superior precision of the THOR-05F model. Outfitted with sensors throughout its body—including legs, where women face an 80% higher risk of injury—the dummy will provide automakers with the data needed to improve crash safety for women.
This mandate means future vehicles must be engineered with all Americans in mind, not just men, finally upholding the responsibility to protect every family on the road. The Trump administration’s focus on practical, life-saving solutions stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic delays of the past.
The ongoing regulatory process will require automakers to purchase the new dummy and begin their own tests, with federal safety ratings and future vehicle designs reflecting these vital updates.
President Trump’s DOT has pledged to continue putting American families first and ensuring that the nation’s roadways are safer for women and future generations. Limited data available; key insights summarized.
