Push for safer cars for young drivers

ONE hundred and fifty young regional drivers are being sought to take part in the State’s unsafe2safe trial.

The program’s aim is to get drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 into modern and safer cars if they are currently driving one that is at least 16 years old.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said grants of $5000 will be provided to successful applicants, to help them purchase a five-star ANCAP safety-rated vehicle from dealerships across Victoria, worth up to $30,000 each.

“Sadly, 70 per cent of deaths on our roads are people in vehicles older than 10 years, and safety features like airbags, seatbelts, and autonomous emergency braking systems make a real impact for people on the roads, particularly in regional Victoria where there’s long-distance roads and different inclement conditions with the weather,” he said.

“Getting behind a safe vehicle is so important. It could save your life and prevent injury.”

Director of Peter Stevens Motorworld Matthew Newey said it’s a great opportunity for local dealerships to support the youth of Ballarat to get out of an unsafe car, and into a safe one.

“Our role is to help them choose the right safe car for them, help them dispose of their old car, and make the process seamless,” he said.

“We work with budget constraints and provide a range of cars on site that satisfy those requirements, and the five-star ANCAP safety rating.

“We’ve been involved in five of these so far within the initial trial process, with people upgrading to two new cars and three used cars.”

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said any steps taken to keep young people safe on the roads are well worth it.

“I’m the mother of two new drivers, aged 19 and 20, and I’m going to tell them to get out and talk to their mates about this program, to make sure they’re all driving the best, safest vehicle they can,” she said.

Unfast2safe is the first Australian program of its kind, and expressions of interest are open until Sunday, 4 September.