ANCAP escapes budget cuts

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) will continue to receive financial support from the Australian government, which today announced it will allocate $2.2 million to the independent vehicle safety rating organisation over the next two years.

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Jamie Briggs MP, made the announcement in Melbourne today, allaying fears that ANCAP would be subject to funding cuts in last Tuesday's federal budget.

"With Australian government support and funding, ANCAP has increased its ratings coverage to 95 per cent of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold in Australia," said Briggs.

"The Australian government is committed to working with organisations like ANCAP to raise awareness of road safety and to reduce death and injury on our roads through safer vehicles, safer roads and safer drivers."

Apart from the Australian government, ANCAP is supported by 22 other member organisations, including the New Zealand government, Australian state and territory governments, Australian motoring clubs, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said ongoing federal funding will allow the automotive safety body to enter the next phase of vehicle safety assessment "as we recognise the rapid growth of active safety technologies and begin to assess their effectiveness".

"It is reassuring to see this new government continue to recognise the significance of safer vehicles and the important, independent role ANCAP plays in vehicle safety through its continued investment in our program. The commitment to continue at least for a further two years will complement the ongoing commitments from all stakeholders.

“ANCAP is the foundation stone for the Safer Vehicles pillar in the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety and in Australia's National Road Safety Strategy. The continuation of federal funding underscores the important role vehicle safety plays in reducing road trauma. This is of particular relevance during this Decade of Action as we strive to meet a 30 per cent or greater reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2020.

"Manufacturers recognise and accept the value of the ANCAP process in encouraging new car buyers including fleet managers, to look for and buy the safest cars available.

"As we see more and more imported cars entering our market, the continued role of ANCAP as the only independent organisation providing detailed safety comparisons is essential," said McIntosh.