List plays it safe

By Kelly Yates
MAZDA, Ford and Holden cars have been included in a list of some of the safest and most affordable cars for young drivers.
The First Car List, developed by VicRoads with support from the TAC and RACV, was launched in Melbourne last week by Roads Minister Tim Pallas.
The list features the five safest cars in the small, medium and large car range to help new drivers choose their first car.
A study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre showed that more than 60 per cent of incidents in which young drivers were killed or seriously injured could have been prevented had they been in a safer car.
Senior Constable Allen Inderwisch, from Casey Highway Patrol, said police often were shocked at the cars P-platers were driving.
“You often see mum and dad driving around in a brand-new car with the latest safety features,” he said.
“Then you see them buying their children secondhand cars with no safety elements. They need to think about whether the car they’re buying is safe.”
Sen Const Inderwisch supports the new list.
“It gives both the young drivers and their parents a good safe guide, which could potentially save lives,” he said.
The First Car List, part of the State Government’s strategy to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 30 per cent by 2017, ranks cars using a five-star rating system, according to its ability to protect drivers and passengers in a crash.
Developed by Monash, the ratings are based on analysis of more than three million crashes on Australian roads.
The small cars in the list are the Ford Focus LS/LT (2005-07), Volkswagen Golf (2004-07), Ford Focus LR (2002-05), Holden Astra TR (1996-98) and the Mazda 3 (2003-07).
The medium cars are the BMW 5 Series (1996-2003), the Mazda 6 (2002-07), the Honda Accord (1999-2002), the Peugeot 406 (1996-2004) and the Saab 9000 (1986-97).
Large cars on the list are the Holden Statesman (1999-2003), Holden Caprice WK (1999-2003), Mitsubishi Magna TL-TW (2003-05), the Mitsubishi Verada KL-KW (2003-05) and the Ford Fairlane (1999-2002).
Berwick Mazda general sales manager Trevor Arnold said he was pleased Mazda’s attention to safety had resulted in them being included in the list of safest cars.
“Both Mazda cars are extremely popular with the young people,” he said.
“The Mazda 3 is the number one choice for private buyers in Australia. It’s stylish, spirited and safe.”
Darren Bourke, dealer principal at Barry Bourke Holden in Berwick, said the Holden Statesman and Caprice made the list because they were “safe and reliable.”
Sales manager Paul Morgan from David Nutter Ford said the Ford Focus models were “a great little car for first buyers”.
For details about the First Car List visit arrivealive.vic.gov.au/firstcar