Media statement | 21 November 2007

Crash test results reiterate benefits of additional air bags

The Automobile Association and Land Transport NZ today released the latest Australian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) crash test results for 46 vehicles tested for occupant protection and pedestrian safety.

Of the vehicles tested the majority scored reasonably well with a four out of five star rating. For a vehicle to score five stars it must have undertaken an additional pole test (side impact) and be fitted with side and head air bags.

ANCAP also announced today that as of 1 January 2008, having Electronic Stability Control (ESC) fitted to the vehicles will be a prerequisite to scoring five stars.

AA Technical Services General Manager Stella Stocks says she supports ANCAP’s announcement and was pleased to see that many of the vehicles tested already had ESC fitted.

‘Making it impossible for vehicles to attain five stars unless ESC is fitted will hopefully encourage manufacturers to make ESC a compulsory safety feature,’ says Ms Stocks.

Land Transport NZ Vehicles Manager Don Hutchinson said that safety should be given the highest consideration when purchasing a new vehicle.

‘If the New Zealand market demands such safety features as air bags and ESC, this will encourage car manufacturers to make them a compulsory feature,’ says Mr Hutchinson.

The latest ANCAP crash results come just days after the release of the recent Monash University Accident Research Centre study, which analysed the crash patterns of over 200,000 cars and concluded that vehicles fitted with ESC reduced driver injury by 28 percent for cars and 66 percent for 4WDs.

Hyundai is one mainstream car manufacturer in New Zealand to take the initiative and make ESC a compulsory safety feature throughout its range of cars.

ESC senses when a driver is about to lose control by detecting differences between a vehicle’s course and the driver’s intended direction. By selectively applying the brakes to individual wheels and de-powering the engine, ESC helps the driver to maintain control of the vehicle.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, all State governments, the New Zealand government and the FIA Foundation. The AA and Land Transport NZ are both members of ANCAP. Detailed crash test results are available on the websites of both organisations - www.aa.co.nz or www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicles/ancap/index.html.

For more information
Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport New Zealand
Ph: 04 931 8829  or  0212 763 222

Stella Stocks
Technical Services General Manager
New Zealand Automobile Association
09 966 8908  or  021 772 242

Last updated: 21 November 2007