ONE hundred and fifty young regional drivers are being sought to take part in the State\u2019s unsafe2safe trial.<\/p>\n
The program\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSadly, 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\u2019s long-distance roads and different inclement conditions with the weather,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting behind a safe vehicle is so important. It could save your life and prevent injury.\u201d<\/p>\n
Car dealer Matthew Newey said the program is a great opportunity for local dealerships to support young people to get out of an unsafe car, and into a safe one.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur role is to help them choose the right safe car for them, help them dispose of their old car, and make the process seamless,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with budget constraints and provide a range of cars on site that satisfy those requirements, and the five-star ANCAP safety rating.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been involved in five of these so far within the initial trial process, with people upgrading to two new cars and three used cars.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unfast2safe is the first Australian program of its kind, and expressions of interest are open until Sunday, 4 September.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ONE hundred and fifty young regional drivers are being sought to take part in the State\u2019s unsafe2safe trial. The program\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n