14 August 2009
The 2009 Used Car Safety Ratings results released by the Monash University Accident Research Centre show that drivers don't have to limit their options when looking to buy a safer car.
The Used Car Safety Ratings study is conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) with support from the RACV, VicRoads, Transport Accident Commission ( TAC ) and other state and federal road authorities and motoring clubs.
It is the largest study of its kind in the world and highlights significant safety gaps between the best and worst performing used cars.
MUARC senior researcher Stuart Newstead said the team analysed data from 3.6 million vehicles and more than 740,000 injured road users involved in real crashes in Australia and New Zealand .
Dr Newstead said the results show there is a choice of safer used cars across all market groups.
"From small cars to larger cars, to commercial vans, there is a safer choice for every driver."
"We have rated 239 vehicles and 118 of those are excellent or good. Many Australian-made cars scored above average but European and Japanese cars were dominant among the best performers," Dr Newstead said.
The TAC's Road Safety Manager Samantha Cockfield said this year's ratings included assessment of the combined safety of each car, both for other road users with which the vehicle collides as well as for its own occupants.
"People often only consider vehicle safety from the perspective of how the vehicle will protect them as an occupant in a crash," Ms Cockfield said.
However, a vehicle's performance in protecting other road users in a collision is also vitally important in reducing the overall injury burden in a crash. These ratings reflect a vehicle's ability to protect all people involved in a crash, giving a better assessment of the total community impact of the vehicle's safety," Ms Cockfield said.
"So a vehicle with excellent protection for its occupants, will only be rated in the best categories if it does not pose too much of a risk of injury or death to other road users in a collision."
"This is reflected in the Crash Safety Ratings, with more small and medium cars having a good or excellent result."
"If we are serious about reducing road trauma, we need to consider how any vehicle we purchase protects all road users, not just its own occupants."
"A car that protects everyone in society, as well as its own occupants, is a good car for society," Ms Cockfield said.
The RACV's Chief Engineer- Vehicles Michael Case said the results showed drivers didn't have to dig deep for safety.
"With many small and medium cars continuing to receive an excellent rating, there's no need to skimp on safety," Mr Case said.
Media contact: Jane Castles on +61 9903 4842 or 0417 568 781.
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