A "Crash Test" is a safety evaluation conducted to understand how vehicles behave during a collision. During these tests, a car is deliberately crashed into a barrier or another vehicle to observe the effects on the car's structure and the safety of its occupants. This helps engineers improve designs and ensure that features like seat belts and airbags work effectively to protect passengers. These tests are crucial for the automotive industry, as they provide valuable data that can lead to safer cars. Organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conduct these tests and publish ratings to inform consumers about vehicle safety.