More than 80 per cent of WA motorists support the introduction of mandatory safety ratings displayed on all cars for retail sale.
More than 270 members responded to RAC’s Vehicle Safety Survey, with four in five participants supporting more visibility of ANCAP and Used Car Safety Ratings on all vehicles in WA's car yards.
RAC Manager Vehicles and Fuels Alex Forrest said independent vehicle safety information is available to consumers for 95 per cent of the new car market.
“Increasing the visibility of safety ratings has the potential to save lives by encouraging consumers to make safer choices,” Mr Forrest said.
“There is currently no mandatory requirement to display vehicle safety ratings at point of sale in Australia – a requirement that’s been active in the United States for nearly 20 years.”
“Accurate and consistent vehicle safety information at the point-of-sale would help people to buy the safest cars within their budgets,” Mr Forrest said.
ANCAP rates the level of safety a vehicle provides for occupants and pedestrians in the event of a crash, as well as its ability, through technology, to avoid a crash.
ANCAP ratings and Used Car Safety Ratings can be found online for most vehicles – but concerningly, just under a quarter of respondents to the survey hadn’t heard of the ratings systems.
Members in the market for a new vehicle were much more likely to rate safety as ‘extremely important’, than members purchasing an older, used vehicle.
Half of members (52 per cent) believe modern vehicle safety technology is having a positive impact on road safety outcomes.
Respondents also ranked the top three most useful safety features as reversing cameras or sensors, followed by seatbelt reminders, and adaptive cruise control.
“It is absolutely critical to prioritise safety when purchasing a car, as your choice could save your life or someone else’s,” Mr Forrest said.
“We need to do everything we can to bring WA’s road fatality and serious injury rate down — and that includes buying and driving safer cars.”
ENDS
Media contact: Laura Gardiner, 08 9436 4889 or media@rac.com.au
