ACRS slams Aussie vehicle safety standards

AN AUSTRALIAN road safety body wants stricter vehicle safety restrictions, fearing Australia’s “outdated” standards are putting lives at risk.

The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) said in a letter to the federal government that Australia should follow the lead of Europe in embracing “world-leading safety technologies” and that we are being “left behind driving cars that would not be allowed on European roads.”

ACRS cites vehicles for sale new in Australia that have a zero-star crash safety rating while the same model in Europe achieved a three-star rating under the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP).

ANCAP lists the Suzuki Swift as having a one-star rating in Australia and a three-star rating in Europe.

“This discrepancy highlights the inconsistency in vehicle safety standards applied across different markets, ultimately putting Australian consumers at a disadvantage,” said the ACRS in a statement.

“Even more concerning is that many consumers purchased the vehicle before it underwent ANCAP testing, under the mistaken belief that the Australian model had the same safety features as its European counterpart.”

ANCAP also shows the MG 5 and Mahindra Scorpio as having a zero-star rating. Others with low marks include the three-stars achieved by the Hyundai i30, Jeep Avenger and MG3.

ACRS chief executive officer Dr Ingrid Johnston said that hundreds of Australians annually are killed in crashes that could have been prevented with safer vehicles.

“The evidence is clear: adopting stronger safety standards reduces fatalities and serious injuries. Australia cannot afford to keep falling behind,” she said.

ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg pointed to the federal government as being responsible for ensuring mandatory standards on the same level as Europe.

“To ensure Australian consumers receive the same level of protection as those in Europe, regulatory standards must catch up," she told GoAuto.

“The importance of regulation is to clean up ‘the tail’ – targeting models where the manufacturer has chosen not to yet provide their customers with the safety features the consumer market expects.

“But the problem is that regulation takes time, and its focus is more narrow.

“We need to see regulation introduced more quickly so that the time between ANCAP encouraging a certain safety feature and regulation commencement is shorter.

“The longer the gap, the greater the number of models that can potentially skirt the need for enhanced safety offerings.”

Ms Hoorweg said there was an “obvious gap” between the regulatory vehicle safety standards in place across the European Union and Australia.

“It’s important that the Australian government moves to close this gap and introduce mandatory standards so that Australian road users receive the same road safety benefits as those in Europe,” she continued.

“While a regulatory gap between EU and Australia does exist, ANCAP has, and continues to play a crucial role in bringing life-saving vehicle safety features and technologies to the vehicles sold in Australia through our non-regulatory, consumer-driven approach.”

The ACRS said that despite evidence that advanced vehicle safety features save lives “Australia has yet to adopt the European Union’s (EU) 2019 safety standards, which mandate life-saving technologies such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), intelligent speed assistance (ISA), and event data recorders”.

“These measures have already reduced road trauma across Europe, but here in Australia, unsafe vehicles continue to be sold without these protections,” it continued.

It added that it was concerned that many consumers purchased the vehicle before it underwent ANCAP testing “under the mistaken belief that the Australian model had the same safety features as its European counterpart”.

“With the National Road Safety Strategy aiming to cut road deaths and serious injuries by 50 per cent by 2030, modernising vehicle safety standards is a crucial step,” said Dr Johnston.

“The ACRS is urging federal and state governments to act now to prevent further unnecessary tragedies.

“This is about making sure Australians are driving vehicles that give them the best chance of survival.

“We need responsible leadership and immediate action to bring our safety standards in line with the best in the world.”

*The ACRS is the Australasian region’s peak membership association for road safety professionals, advocates, and members of the public who are focused on saving lives and serious injuries on our roads.