JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Road Safety Week, Play It Safe

Safety should be the main priority when buying a vehicle, road safety authorities said today, the fourth of Road Safety Week.

Tasmanians will experience a graphic display of vehicle safety at the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) display at Agfest.

The display has been brought to the State by ANCAP, the Road Safety Advisory Council and RACT and is the first time it’s been in Tasmania. The display shows two crash tested vehicles each crash tested at 64 kilometres an hour. One, a Chery J1 with a three-star ANCAP safety rating and the other, a Subaru Forester which holds a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

“The display is a stark illustration of the potential risk of driver and passenger injuries in different vehicles, when involved in a crash,” ANCAP Chief Executive Officer James Goodwin said.

The display allows consumers to see the significant differences in safety performance between a top rated vehicle and the poor rated three-star vehicle.

“It is of vital importance that consumers are aware of the safety of their vehicle or one they are looking to purchase. There are five-star choices in all market segments and ANCAP encourages consumers to buy the safest car they can afford,” Mr Goodwin said.

An ANCAP safety rating is awarded to a vehicle after it has undergone a number of physical crash tests, along with an assessment of its safety assist technologies.

For more information:

Tasmania Police Media & Communications, 03 6173 2296

Road Safety Advisory Council, Neil Spark, 03 6166 3279 or 0417 352 210