The release of the 2022 Used Car Safety Rankings (UCSR) show that people driving in the lowest rated cars were eight times more likely to die or be seriously injured in a crash than those in the highest rated car.
The state government is using the annually-released Monash University Accident Research Centre rankings to urge Victorians, including those in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, to prioritise safety.
The UCSR aim to make it easier for Victorians to choose a safe used car within their budget across all vehicle categories.
“Of the 389 vehicles rated, 55 received a five-star rating, and 13 were awarded ‘Safer Pick’ status. Fifty-nine models were rated ‘poor’ (two stars), and a further 59 were ‘very poor’ (one star),’ the government said.
“The age of a vehicle continues to be a significant factor, largely because safety features such as auto emergency braking, lane keep assist, electronic stability control and side curtain airbags are not as common on older cars.
“Of the 125 drivers and passengers who have died on Victoria’s roads so far this year, more than half (65) have involved vehicles aged 10 years or older.”
According to the government, the latest Road Safety Monitor survey showed more and more Victorians were prioritising safety, with “70 per cent of respondents considering safety features the most important factor when buying a vehicle”.
The 2022 UCSR was calculated by looking at the records from more than 9 million vehicles in police-reported road crashes in Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2020.
“The ratings consider the protection cars offer to drivers in a crash, harm to other road users, combined crashworthiness and crash risk,” the government said.
“The annual ratings update is overseen by the Vehicle Safety Research Group (VRSG), on which the Victorian Government is represented by the TAC and Department of Transport.”
Details: howsafeisyourcar.com.au.
