By Olivia Condous
A new program trial is being expanded across regional Victoria, including the Macedon Ranges, helping young people to upgrade their old cars for newer, safer models.
The unsafe2safe program will help up to 150 drivers aged between 18 and 25 in its first phase, providing each individual with a $5000 subsidy to replace their unsafe, older vehicle with a safer one.
The trial program aims to replace up to 1000 unsafe cars that are more than 16 years old and have poor safety ratings, with modern vehicles with better safety features, such as Lane Keep Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking systems.
According to the state government, young Victorians have expressed that cost is a key barrier in accessing safer vehicles.
The government initiative is designed to reduce the number of deaths on the state’s roads, as according to the government young regional Victorians driving older cars are 15 times more likely to be killed in road crashes compared with the state average.
Melton MP Steve McGhie said the program would help young Moorabool residents to head out on the roads more safely.
“This program is critical to ensuring young drivers right across Moorabool can purchase a vehicle that will not only prevent serious road accidents, but more importantly, save their life.”
Expressions of interest for the program are open from now until September 4.
Details: engage.vic.gov.au/unsafe2safe
