Low awareness of car safety ratings

Many vehicle owners are unaware of the safety rating of their vehicle, with 68 per cent of respondents to an RAC eNews poll saying they did not know their vehicle’s star safety rating.

RAC is calling on the Australian Government and the State Government to take the lead on a bolder road safety policy by ensuring this vital life-saving information is displayed on vehicles at the point of sale.

In Australia, new vehicles are tested and given a star rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), which is supported by RAC and Australia’s other motoring clubs.

RAC believes new vehicles rated by the ANCAP program should have their ANCAP star safety rating displayed on the vehicle in the same way that energy ratings are required to be displayed on many appliances and whitegoods.

Consumers should have access to vehicle safety information to enable them to make an informed choice when purchasing a new car.

For information about the safety ratings of new vehicles visit ancap.com.au

For information about the safety ratings of used vehicles visit howsafeisyourcar.com.au