Small cars are the most popular models on the market, but are we sacrificing safety for cost?
Australian car safety experts agree that if you're in a small car the risk of suffering a fatality or serious injury is at least three times greater than in a larger car. The Accident Research Centre at Monash University and the Road Accident Research Unit at Adelaide University argue that it's a case of simple science - smaller, lighter cars will suffer more damage on impact.
In the past six years, micro and small car sales have risen by 90 percent, due to easier manoeuvrability around built-up areas, fuel efficiency and, most importantly, cost. But our driving habits are back-to-front and the groups most likely to cause accidents or be susceptible to injury are the young and the elderly, who tend to drive small vehicles.
However, the Automobile Chamber of Commerce disagree and state that larger cars are harder to manoeuvre and younger drivers, in particular, are more likely to lose control and cause accidents. They argue that small cars are not unsafe and must pass the same Australian design rules as larger models.
The Road Accident Research Unit suggest we should consider buying a larger car that is two to three years old rather than a brand-new small car.
Reference: ACA, 22nd March 2000
Reporter: Glenn Connley
