Young drivers offered $5000 subsidy to buy a safer car
Victorian government targets young car owners in regional areas with cash-for-clunkers schemeJust two days after throwing licence fees for learner and probationary drivers out the window, the Victorian government has announced a $5000 subsidy to help young regional car owners get behind the wheel of a safer vehicle.
Still in its trial phase but now extended beyond Ballarat and Bendigo to all areas of regional Victoria, the program – known as ‘unsafe2safe’ – is aimed at drivers aged between 18-25 who are the registered owners of vehicles more than 15 years old with a low safety rating.
The cash-for-clunkers scheme will subsidise the purchase of a newer, safer car by $5000.
Young regional Victorians can register online and those selected will receive a letter from VicRoads instructing them to take their vehicle to a participating dealer, who will check the eligibility of both car and owner.
If a purchase is subsequently made at the participating dealership, the price of the newer car will be discounted by $5000 and the dealer will arrange for the old one to be scrapped, thereby removing the ‘unsafe’ vehicle from the road.
“The older your car is, the less protection you get if you’re in a crash,” said Victorian premier Daniel Andrews.
“And the data shows us that younger drivers in regional Victoria are over-represented in serious road accidents.
“That’s why we’re giving $5000 subsidies to eligible young drivers to trade in their old cars for newer, safer vehicles.
“Any life lost on our roads is one too many. And this program will keep more Victorians safe – and alive.”
When purchasing the newer vehicle, buyers are encouraged to seek out those with the highest possible safety rating, which can be checked via howsafeisyourcar.com.au.
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