"Freddy" spreading the word on vehicle safety

01 Aug 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: 1 August 2009

The Minister for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Tim Holding is kicking off a safety car roadshow urging Victorians to help reduce road trauma by buying safer cars.

The TAC’s new Ford safety display car, known as Freddy, graphically illustrates key safety features available on most new cars.

Freddy is a five-star rated Falcon FG G6 Sedan, which displays the key features Victorians should look for when buying their next car, such as what airbags look like when they are released in a crash.

Mr Holding examined Freddy the safety car in Geelong today as part of the TAC’s marquee at the Geelong Football Club 150th Members’ Brunch.

He said it was the first time that the TAC had conducted a roadshow to highlight vehicle safety. 

“The roadshow around Victoria is another facet of the State Government’s work to reduce trauma on our roads,” Mr Holding said.

Freddy moves off to the Sheepvention at Hamilton next week, Cobram Swap Meet on  August 9 and will be at Field Days and motoring events throughout the year.

Mr Holding said if everyone upgraded their car to the safest in its class, the Victorian road toll could be cut by a third overnight.
 
“Your car’s safety features could mean the difference between life and death for you or a member of your family.”

Two Australian manufactured cars now have a five star safety rating – the Ford Falcon FG and the Holden Commodore VE Omega as well as a range of imported vehicles. The TAC will be drawing attention to other cars with key safety features during the safety car’s tour of Victoria.

Mr Holding said over the next decade, new safety technology developments would demand increased attention.

“The Victorian Government has already mandated that all new cars will need to be fitted with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) from 2011 and side head-protecting technology from 2012,” Mr Holding said.

“We’d like to see safety as the number one consideration for all Victorians when buying their next car.”

Some of the key features highlighted on the car are:

• Reverse cameras and sensing systems, which view and detect people and obstacles behind the car
• Seatbelt reminders that chime when seat belts are not worn
• Three point seat belts in all seating positions provide better protection that two point (or lap sash) seat belts
• Driver fatigue warning, alerts driver of possible fatigue during continuous driving, e.g. 2 hours
• Dual stage airbags, control airbag inflation by detecting seat position and type of impact
• Curtain airbags (which can be optioned on this car) protect occupants of a vehicle in a side impact crash. 
• Thorax airbags (standard on this car) protect the thorax in the event of a side impact
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), ensures maximum braking power is used in emergency stop situations
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC), an in-built safety system that helps to reduce the chances of single vehicle crashes. It detects instability, over steering or under steering and stabilises the vehicle by automatically applying brakes to individual wheels and reducing engine throttle.

If you can’t make it to Kardinia Park this Saturday, you can see how your car stacks up at www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au.

The Minister for the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Tim Holding, Geelong Inspector Phil Swindells, Freddy and the crash test dummies