Vehicle manufacturer’s commitment to safety is highlighted, as the latest vehicles crash tested by EuroNCAP all achieve the maximum five star rating.

Adrian Walsh, RoadSafe director says, “Manufacturers are continuing to take a lead in making safety a priority. We must now ensure that those buying vehicles are fully aware of the benefits on offer.”

Research published earlier this year by eSafetyAware highlights a lack of awareness and understanding of the importance of active safety systems.

In businesses, it found less than a third of fleet decision makers in the UK looked for a EuroNCAP rating when purchasing cars and vans. Just 41% said their fleet policies had requirements for specific safety equipment in vehicles, and substantial numbers were unaware of, or uninterested in, the latest electronic safety technologies.

There were similar findings with research into private buyers and electronic stability control. The system will be a legal requirement on all new models by 2012 and all new vehicles by 2014. Research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, shows the technology can reduce collisions by up to 49%, but eSafetyAware found that less than 40% of the UK’s car buying population was aware of it.

Mr Walsh continues, “The number of people killed in vehicles fell by 16% between 2008 and 2009. The DfT attributes much of this to new and safer vehicles. To maintain this decline we need to help consumers realise the life-saving potential of the latest safety technologies.

“Everyone involved in the motor industry – manufacturers and dealers alike – need to work with researchers, campaigners, law enforcers, policy makers, consumers and the media to raise awareness of the safety technology available in newer vehicles.”

EuroNCAP is working to help consumers understand the latest safety systems offered in new cars. From October, results of the first assessments of EuroNCAP Advance will be published. They will offer comprehensive guidance on the latest safety technologies, which go beyond the scope of the crash tests.

For more on car safety, come to the Fleet News car safety section.

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