Double the risk of death in 40% of New Zealand’s cars

People are twice as likely to die in a crash if the car they’re travelling in was built before 2000.

To demonstrate that, the AA and Transport Agency has today revealed the result of a car-to-car crash test conducted this week by independent vehicle safety advocate ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Programme).

The average age of cars in New Zealand is more than 14 years. Transport Agency data shows cars built before 2000, which represents nearly 40% of all passenger cars and SUVs on New Zealand roads, are involved in 57% of fatalities.

Outcomes improve hugely a decade later. Cars produced between 2010 and 2015, which make up 17% of the fleet, were involved in 10% of fatalities.

AA Motoring Services General Manager Stella Stocks says older vehicles are significantly over-represented in crashes that resulted in death.

“Vehicle manufacturers are playing their part by building better, safer cars packed full of crash prevention technology, but for this to have more impact on our road toll the average age of the fleet must reduce significantly,” Ms Stocks says.

In 2016, 328 people died on New Zealand roads. Ms Stocks says the data from the fleet profile compared against fatalities shows that there would be fewer deaths if older cars were not a factor.

This week a 1998 Toyota Corolla was lined up against its 2015-built counterpart, which has a 5 star ANCAP safety rating, and crashed in a simulated off-set head-on – with dramatic results.

The test was conducted during the fourth United Nations Global Road Safety week to highlight the role safer vehicles play in improving crash outcomes for vehicle occupants. To reinforce that, the AA is now advising car buyers to avoid buying any vehicle built in the 20th Century.

The 1998 Corolla was built before the current frontal impact rule was applied that sets minimum safety standards for cars sold in New Zealand. It’s also not equipped with life-saving airbags.

“This week’s crash test shows the driver in the older vehicle would likely have been killed or very seriously injured,” Ms Stocks says.

The crash was at a closing speed of nearly 130km/h – each vehicle was pulled on a wire to a speed of 64km/h.

“On the open road with a closing speed of 200km/h, the outcome would have been even more significant for the occupants of both cars and almost certain death for any occupants of the older vehicle.”

NZ Transport Agency Road Safety Director Harry Wilson says that investment in safety isn’t necessarily expensive.

“Looking at the Corolla as an example, within a few years Toyota was building cars with a 4 and 5 star ANCAP safety ratings. All models of the Corolla since 2011 have earned 5 stars in ANCAP crash tests. And that’s true of most brands since then and nearly every new car today.

“In today’s market used car buyers can easily find much safer vehicles than the older example in this week’s test for a price often well under $10,000.

“You don’t have to buy brand new to be safe in a car. With the technology available today, even the more affordable technology available a decade ago, there’s no way I’d consider putting friends or family in a car that didn’t meet these basic standards.”

In New Zealand, many families have multiple cars in the driveway including a relatively cheap “starter” car for teenagers once they have their drivers licence.

“Sometimes the thinking is to buy a car that is known to be reliable, not too powerful and often older. The result of this test clearly shows why a newer car should be considered.

“Vehicle safety needs to be better prioritised by car buyers. We’ve completed research in the past that shows that a number of factors often come in ahead of any safety considerations during the selection process. Purpose and price will always be up there, but safety should be considered alongside them. Unfortunately, colour often takes priority.

“Safety isn’t a luxury.”

ANCAP is supported by all Australian motoring clubs, the New Zealand Automobile Association, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

The full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, other vehicle safety information and the specifications of the rated vehicles are available online at aa.co.nz or rightcar.govt.nz.

Ends

You can see the results of the crash test here.

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