The government is upgrading its crash test program for new cars and trucks to give consumers better information about vehicle safety.

The program will continue to grade new vehicles on a scale of up to five stars but add an overall safety rating that combines scores from several crash tests.

"Knowing how many horses a car engine has is important, but knowing how safe a car is before you even step into a dealership ought to be essential," Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said. "We want to make sure consumers can easily take safety into consideration when choosing a new vehicle, along with price, fuel efficiency, size and the color they like best."

The new program will start for vehicles from the 2010 model year.

Peters said new system also will include new frontal crash tests, and a new side pole test to simulate wrapping a vehicle around a tree. She said female crash dummies will be added to the tests, so women and larger children are represented, and that new testing for leg injuries will be done.

For the first time, Peters said, a new rating on emerging advanced technologies will be added so consumers will know whether specific crash avoidance technologies, namely electronic stability control, lane departure warning systems and forward collision warning systems, are optional or standard features on new vehicles.

Some consumer groups have complained that most vehicles earn four or five stars in the test, making it difficult for car shoppers to compare vehicles.

"Enhanced Government Safety Ratings are intended to further the continuous advancement of vehicle safety," said National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Nicole Nason. "In addition to providing important information to consumers, the ratings encourage vehicle manufacturers to continue to design vehicles that reach an even higher level of safety."