Study Reveals The Safest Cars For Young Drivers

Study Reveals the Safest Cars for Young Drivers

9 December 2009

The results of a NSW Roads and Traffic Authority and NRMA Motoring & Services study of more than 3.6 million second-hand vehicles are good news for young drivers in the market for a reasonably priced and safe second-hand car.

NRMA vehicle safety expert Jack Haley said there were several models that rated extremely well in crash safety ratings and priced right for young drivers seeking their first car.

"The 2005-07 Ford Focus and 2001-07 Peugeot 307 were rated top of the class for vehicles costing upwards of $6,500," Mr Haley said.

"For drivers seeking a cheaper but just as safe car, the 1996-99 Chrysler Neon gained a similar rating for vehicles less than $2,000."

The study, conducted by Monash University Accident Research Centre, used more than 3.6 million vehicles and 740,000 injured road users involved in crashes from 1987-2006 that were reported to police in Australia and New Zealand.

The ratings cover 239 popular passenger and light commercial vehicles that are up to 17 years old.

NSW Centre For Road Safety Director Dr Soames Job said the ratings reflected the overall impact of these models on road safety.

"The comprehensive ratings included a score for driver protection and the vehicle's crash impact on other road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians," Dr Job said.

"Parents should consult these ratings if they are purchasing a vehicle for a young driver in the family. They can be assured good protection from injury to their child and other road users in a collision."

More than half (118) vehicles were rated good or excellent while more than one
in ten (25) rated excellent.

Dr Job said the best performing vehicles were European and Japanese
designed while a range of large Australian made cars scored above average on
total safety but none were rated excellent.

"Small and light cars, commercial vans and utes received low ratings due to the high injury risk they posed to their own occupants and other road users in a collision," Dr Job said.

"Pre-1995 models dominated the worst performers showing the gains that have been made in the occupant protection performance of newer vehicles due to programs like the Australasian New Car Assessment Program crash test program."

Used Car Safety Ratings can be found by visiting www.mynrma.com.au/ucsr or
www.rta.nsw.gov.au.

Contact:
Daniel Stanton NRMA 0439 133 092
Shannon Mackay RTA 0438 272 701

SOURCE: NRMA Motoring & Services