From its early beginnings, where improvements consisted of removing obvious hazards, improvements in car passive safety have developed to become one of the most effective ways of reducing road accident casualties. Accident studies identified the issues from which test procedures were developed. Knowledge and technical capability have determined the form of these tests and the tools available. Through their use in legislation and consumer information they have led to dramatic improvements and new knowledge of future problems to solve. For these tests to be effective an increasing knowledge of biomechanics is necessary and there is an urgent need for more research in this area. This paper gives the author’s personal view on car safety developments and the requirements for biomechanical information to support future developments.