New Mobile Website to Boost Vehicle Safety

15 Oct 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: 15 October 2012

Victorians looking to buy a new or used car will be able to find out how safe their preferred option is immediately, thanks to a new mobile website developed by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

The How Safe is Your Car mobile optimisation, launched in Ballarat on Sunday, is a fast, easy way to check the safety ratings of a range of new and used cars.

By going to www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au on their smartphone, anyone can immediately access up-to-date safety ratings on a range of vehicles.

TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said the mobile website was a new tool to help reduce road trauma.

"The website has been specifically designed to make access easier for young Victorians, who are likely to be car shopping with their smartphone," Ms Dore said.

"Research shows that if everyone upgraded their vehicle to the safest in its class, road trauma could be cut by one-third.

"66 young people aged 18-25 died on Victorian roads in 2011. This welcome new measure will help protect young people using our roads."

TAC studies show that the most inexperienced drivers drive the oldest, least safe cars.

"We know it can be a confusing exercise for young people buying a new or used car, but we have a fast, easy solution that does not involve spending huge amounts of money, and it could save your life," Ms Dore said.

"Buying a safe car doesn't have to cost a fortune, it's just a matter of checking the mobile website when you're in the car yard, or browsing online, to see what is available."

The mobile website features a range of older, used vehicles with four or five star safety ratings, as well as new models released this year.
 
"We're not suggesting that Victorians have to spend thousands of dollars on the newest cars on the market to stay safe on the roads, but we encourage them to select the safest model in the class you're looking at," Ms Dore said.

"By upgrading to the safest model in the class you could potentially save your life."

The website is based on rankings from the Australian New Car Assessment Program and the Used Car Safety Ratings Program.