Car Industry

Safest and Most Affordable Cars for Young Drivers

The Victorian Government has today released a list of the safest and most affordable cars for young drivers, to help guide the purchase of safer first vehicles.

Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas launched the First Car List and said it would provide new drivers with a new resource when buying their first car.

“Young people make up just 13 per cent of drivers, but they account for around 25 per cent of all driver fatalities. Among other factors, poorly informed vehicle choice accounts for a large percentage of the risk confronting young people on our roads.

“The First Car List provides new drivers and their parents with the safety information required to make an informed decision when purchasing their first vehicle.

“This list demonstrates that you do not have to spend a lot of money to make sure your first car is safe, with all the vehicles listed being under $15,000.”

A study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) revealed over 60 per cent of incidents where young drivers were killed or seriously injured could have been prevented had they been in a safer car of the same age as the one they were driving.

“This is a very strong incentive for young drivers and their parents to refer to the First Car List to provide greater safety on the road,” Mr Pallas said.

“It’s important all drivers have the best safety advantages when they set out on the road, and safe driving practices will be boosted by driving a safer vehicle.”

The First Car List, developed by VicRoads with support from the TAC and RACV, is part of the Brumby Government’s arrive alive road safety strategy, which aims to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 30 per cent by 2017.

The First Car List is based on the Used Car Safety Ratings, which rank cars using a five star rating system, according to its ability to protect drivers and passengers in a crash. Developed by MUARC, the ratings are based on analysis of over three million crashes on Australian roads.

The five safest cars in the small, medium and large car range include –

Small:
Ford Focus LS/LT 2005-07;  Volkswagen Golf 2004-07;   Ford Focus LR 2002-05;   Holden Astra TR 1996-98;   and Mazda 3 2003-07.

Medium:
BMW 5 Series 1996-2003;   Mazda 6 2002-07;   Honda Accord 1999-2002;   Peugeot 406 1996-2004;   and Saab 9000 1986-97.

Large:
Holden Statesman 1999-2003;   Holden Caprice WK 1999-2003;   Mitsubishi Magna TL-TW 2003-05;   Mitsubishi Verada KL-KW 2003-05;   and Ford Fairlane 1999-2002.

For more information or to view the First Car List visit www.arrivealive.vic.gov.au/firstcar

Tags: Car Safety, Monash University Accident Research Centre, Used Car Safety Ratings