Five-star fleet safety policy will see one-third fewer vehicle fatalities in Australia by 2020, says ANCAP boss Nicholas Clarke.
The prediction comes as Toyota’s popular Hilux maintained its rating, while boosting its level of pedestrian protection.
A big seller for fleet and private users, the Hilux’s continuing safety advances was lauded by Clarke.
“The Toyota Hilux is a top 5 seller in both Australia and New Zealand, so it is great to see the 5 star ANCAP safety rating has been achieved,” said Clark.
The new Hilux, released this week in Australia, is the first light commercial to receive a good rating for pedestrian protection by ANCAP.
“Around 1 in 8 Australian road fatalities are pedestrians so improved frontal design of vehicles makes an important contribution to reducing the road toll. High front vehicles like the Hilux are especially challenging so Toyota has done well with the Hilux,” he said.
“As more organisations adopt a 5 star fleet policy, we will see a significant increase in 5 star vehicles on our roads, which will then be passed on to consumers when their fleet service ends in a few years time.
“ANCAP predicts a one-third reduction in the number of Australians killed or seriously injured by 2020,” Clarke continued, “compared to 2001 when there were no five-star rated cars on our roads.”
After a decade heading the safety agency, Clarke will be replaced at the helm of ANCAP next month by James Goodwin, former journalist and government relations/communications director for AAA.
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