Three new vehicles receive top marks for road safety

Three new vehicles have earned top marks for safety, according to NRMA Motoring and Service and the NSW Centre for Road Safety.
The 2013 variants of the Mitsubishi Mirage, Ford Kuga and Volkswagen Beetle have all been awarded five star ANCAP safety ratings.
NSW Centre for Road Safety general manager Marg Prendergast said that there were now more five star cars on the market than there ever had been previously.
Vehicles subjected to ANCAP crash tests undergo a frontal offset crash test into a barrier, a side impact test, a pole test and a pedestrian impact test.
The first three tests are used to see how effectively the driver and other passengers are protected in the event of front-on and side impacts from other cars or standing objects, like trees.
The pedestrian impact test is used to estimate head and leg injuries to pedestrians struck by vehicles traveling at 40 km/h.
Test dummies are used to measure the forces acting on the occupants of the car during each crash, while the displacement of the dummies during impact is noted closely.
Vehicles are awarded or deducted points based on how they fare in each test, with points also being awarded if safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) are fitted.
A five star rating is awarded when a vehicle achieves the highest international recognised standards in each category.
"We have now tested six vehicles in 2013 and all of them have earned the coveted five star rating," said Ms Prendergast in a statement issued today (February 11).
Vehicles previously tested this year were the Subaru Forester, Opel Corsa and Volvo V40 1.4 litre three-door hatch variant.
"The news is especially pleasing considering the stricter requirements vehicles must meet in order to reach the five star safety standard," Ms Prendergast added.
NRMA vehicle safety expert Jack Haley said it would be good to see all vehicle manufacturers reach "the top level of pedestrian protection", noting that there is still a way to go.
The recent Australia Day weekend saw nearly 700 major crashes on NSW roads, resulting in 196 injuries.
Anyone injured as a result of a car accident may be entitled to compensation under the NSW motor accidents compensation scheme.
Whether it is a driver, passenger or pedestrian injury, a car accident law firm can provide a free consultation to discuss the circumstances surrounding the accident.