{"id":3835,"date":"2017-05-15T09:18:34","date_gmt":"2017-05-15T09:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.onemoresecond.net\/?p=3835"},"modified":"2017-05-15T09:18:34","modified_gmt":"2017-05-15T09:18:34","slug":"ancap-rate-of-fatal-crashes-is-four-times-higher-for-older-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edriving.com\/three60\/ancap-rate-of-fatal-crashes-is-four-times-higher-for-older-vehicles\/","title":{"rendered":"ANCAP: Rate of fatal crashes is four times higher for older vehicles"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)<\/a>, which tests vehicles for the Australian and New Zealand markets, has unveiled the results of a car-to-car crash test which demonstrates the improvements made in vehicle safety over the past two decades.<\/p>\n

The crash test was conducted during the Fourth United Nations\u2019 Global Road Safety Week (8-14 May 2017) to highlight the important role safer vehicles play in improving road safety.<\/p>\n

The frontal offset test, which replicates a head-on crash, was conducted at 64km\/h.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis test physically illustrates the benefits of newer, safer cars,\u201d said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer, James Goodwin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe older car sustained catastrophic structural failure with dummy readings showing an extremely high risk of serious head, chest and leg injury to the driver. It achieved a score of just 0.40 out of 16 points \u2013 zero stars.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn contrast, the current model performed very well with a five star level of protection offered, scoring 12.93 out of 16 points.\u201d<\/p>\n

Analysis<\/u><\/a> of the Australian vehicle fleet shows that while older vehicles (those built 2000 or earlier) account for just 20% of the registered vehicle fleet, they\u2019re involved in 33% of fatality crashes (occupant fatalities in passenger vehicles and SUVs).<\/p>\n

In contrast, newer vehicles (those built 2011-2016) make up 31% of the fleet yet are involved in just 13% of fatality crashes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is concerning the rate of fatal crashes is four times higher for older vehicles than for new vehicles,\u201d said Mr Goodwin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been tracking the average age of a vehicle involved in a fatal crash, and in just one year we\u2019ve seen that average increase from 12.5 years to 12.9 years. This highlights the need for a renewed national focus and greater support for safer vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n

The over-representation of older vehicles in fatal crashes is similar in New Zealand where the average age of the vehicle fleet is 14.3 years and the average age of a vehicle involved in a fatal crash is 15.6 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is unfortunate we tend to see our most at-risk drivers \u2013 the young and inexperienced, as well as the elderly and more frail \u2013 in the most at-risk vehicles, and we hope this test promotes a conversation to encourage all motorists to consider the safety of their car,\u201d Mr Goodwin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSafety is not a luxury and we want everyone to remain safe on the road, so consumers should look for the safest car they can afford and the safest car that suits their needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

View\u00a0a video of the ANCAP car-to-car crash test below.<\/p>\n