Whether you drive a car or ride a motorcycle, having a safe vehicle is one of the most effective ways of protecting yourself and your passengers on the road. So what factors influence safe vehicles?
How safe is your vehicle?
Vehicle safety has little to do with the size, class, or cost of your vehicle. Within each class, price range, and plate year there are 4 and 5-star options.
It’s a myth that buying a safer car means buying a more expensive one. It’s important to prioritise safety features - whether you're selecting your first car, or your last car. Make the safer choice. A handy tool that evaluates how safe your current car is, as well as providing safe options within your budget, is available from the website How Safe is Your Car.
Today’s vehicles are designed with primary safety technologies that prevent crashes from occurring.
Active safety technologies
Active safety technologies help to prevent crashes or to reduce the impact of an emergency situation by actively assisting the driver. These technologies are also referred to as active safety systems, advanced driver assistance systems, or crash prevention technologies. Examples of these technologies include:
- Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)
- Traction Control
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
- Electronic stability control
- Lane support systems
- Speed assist
For more information on these technologies, visit our New or Used Vehicle Buyers page.
Crash Protection Features
These features seek to reduce the impact if a crash does occur by offering improved protection, assisting first responders, facilitating extrication, and enhancing post-crash safety. Modern cars have improved structure, restraints, and airbag systems that can reduce the impact on both vehicle occupants and other vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Examples include:
- Structure and crumple zones
- Active bonnets
- Airbags
- Seatbelt safety features
- Head restraints
For more information on these technologies, visit our New or Used Vehicle Buyers page.
ANCAP safety rating
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is Australia and New Zealand's independent voice on vehicle safety. ANCAP assesses new light vehicles including passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles with a GVM up to 3.5 tonnes. ANCAP assesses vehicles by measuring their performance in controlled crash situations.
