The idea that car safety is expensive is wrong, according to Geelong motor dealer Justin Hanneysee.
Mr Hanneysee said many affordable second-hand vehicles were now chock full of safety features which offer peace of mind to motorists on a budget and parents of first-time divers.
He pointed out a 2006 9-3 SAAB with 10 airbags for less than $10,000.
Mr Hanneysee was also a big fan of traction control, which is now common in many second-hand cars.
“It takes all the power away from the engine until the wheels stop spinning,” he said.
Mr Hanneysee talked up the value of choosing cars with added safety features as the TAC promoted its new four-pillar Safe System, which includes a focus on choosing the right vehicle to avoid or survive accidents.
TAC’s Samantha Buckis said the Safe Vehicles was particularly relevant to new drivers, who were notoriously over-represented in accidents statistics.
She urged motorists to always choose vehicles with potentially life-saving features like airbags, ABS and traction control.
“It just gives young drivers that bit of extra support on the road – they won’t even know it’s there until they need it.”
Ms Buckis urged parents who were nervous about their kids hitting the road alone for the first time to check out TAC’s How Safe is Your Car website.
“You can search by budget, which is a big consideration for young people. All the vehicles are probation-approved.”
