Car safety ratings are evaluations that assess how well a vehicle protects its occupants during a crash. These ratings are typically provided by organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). They conduct various tests, including frontal and side-impact collisions, to determine how safe a car is. The ratings are usually displayed as stars or letters, with higher ratings indicating better safety performance. Consumers can use these ratings to make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle, ensuring they choose a car that offers the best protection for themselves and their passengers.