How safe is your car?
Choosing a safer car could save your life.
In 2015, more than one hundred sixty Western Australians were killed on our roads and a further Two,000 people were admitted to hospital with injuries from traffic crashes. Some of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if the drivers had chosen a safer vehicle.
General safety standards
- Crash avoidance: Equipment that will help you avoid a crash such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
- Crash protection: Your crumple zones, seat belts, airbags and autonomous emergency braking.
Gradual improvements are made to safety features on fresh cars every year.
All cars sold in Australia must meet minimum safety standards, however these standards, stipulated in the Australian Design Rules, are significantly behind the requirements for an ANCAP 5-star safety rating. That’s why it’s critical for consumers to ensure their prospective fresh vehicle has a high ANCAP safety rating (ideally five starlets).
Safer cars save lives
RAC supports both the Australasian Fresh Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and the annual Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) survey, which help Western Australians buy the safest car they can afford.
The RAC supports both the Australasian Fresh Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and the annual Used Car Safety Ratings survey. Both programs provide vital information to help Western Australian motorists buy the safest car they can afford.
ANCAP (Australasian Fresh Car Assessment Program)
ANCAP provides Australian and Fresh Zealand consumers with independent vehicle safety information through the publication of safety ratings. The more ANCAP starlets a vehicle has, the better it performed during crash tests in a managed laboratory setting.
To achieve the maximum 5-star rating, a vehicle must achieve the highest standards in all tests and feature advanced safety assist technologies. A 4-star rating is the minimum level of protection recommended.
Buying a car that has a 4- or 5-star ANCAP rating increases your chances of survival in a crash.
Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR)
If you’re buying a used car, be sure to check out its Used Car Safety Rating.
The current set of used car safety ratings utilise the records of over 7.Five million vehicles in police-reported road crashes in Australia and Fresh Zealand inbetween one thousand nine hundred eighty seven and 2014. The records were analysed by MUARC and the ratings calculated using an internationally reviewed method which takes into account the vehicle`s mass, the structural design of the assets, and the safety features fitted to the vehicle such as airbags and types of seat belts.
Key areas of vehicle safety explored by the UCSRs include assessment of vehicle safety technologies, modelling and projection of vehicle fleet composition and its effects on safety, estimating crash risk, and consideration of the safety implications of vehicle choice on high risk road user groups.
Our safer cars commitment
We recognise that safer cars can save lives, so in two thousand twelve we took our commitment to road safety one step further by choosing to not insure or finance any vehicle which has an ANCAP rating of 1, two or 3-stars and was built in two thousand twelve or beyond.
We believes a four or 5-star safety rating means your family has a much better chance of surviving a crash or walking away with less severe injuries than if they are in a vehicle with a 1, two or 3-star safety rating.
Note: Finance applications subject to RAC Finance Limited lending criteria. Fees and charges are payable. Terms and conditions apply. Australian Credit License 387972. Insurance provided by RAC Insurance Pty Limited. Check PDS to see if the policy is right for you. Call thirteen 17 three for a copy. Cover is subject to underwriting criteria. The Safer Cars initiative is subject to switch.
Services provided by Roadside Assistance and RAC Auto Services are not affected by this switch.