New TAC website leaves P-platers without excuses for driving unsafe cars

23 Oct 2014

A new website helping first car buyers find safe vehicles that won't break the bank has the potential to save young lives, according to the Transport Accident Commission.

The TAC developed its How Safe is Your First Car website in response to research showing Victoria's most inexperienced motorists were also the most likely to be driving old and unsafe vehicles.

TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said clicking onto www.howsafeisyourfirstcar.com.au should be the first step for anyone looking to buy their first car.

"Many of the safety technologies that have contributed to the falling road toll have been around for a decade or more now, so it's possible to buy cars fitted with them, even on a very small budget," Ms Dore said.

"We need to move away from the idea that it's okay for your first car to be an old clunker because these cars generally don't have features like curtain airbags or electronic stability control and these technologies save lives."

Ms Dore said young drivers aged 18-25 were over-represented in road trauma, accounting for a quarter of all drivers killed despite making up only 14 per cent of licence holders.

The How Safe is Your First Car website provides information on thousands of safe used car models and allows buyers to search based on their individual budgets.

"It's a simple, user-friendly tool to that can save first car buyers lots of time and, more importantly, help them to choose a set of wheels that will protect them in the event of an accident," Ms Dore said.

The website uses ANCAP and Used Car Safety Ratings to narrow the search for a safe vehicle on a set budget from $1000 to $35,000. Only vehicles with a four or five star safety rating that are approved for P-platers are displayed.

Some examples of affordable safe cars

• 1999 Volkswagen Golf           (5 stars)           from  $2,400
• 2002 Ford Focus                     (4 stars)           from  $1,600
• 2002 Mazda 6                         (5 stars)           from  $3,100
• 2005 Mitsubishi 380                (5 stars)           from  $3,700
• 2002 Holden Ute                     (4 stars)           from  $4,000

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