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 vehicle is. The ratings are usually presented on a scale, such 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 one that offers a higher level of protection for themselves and their passengers.