Comments on: LCV safety an OH&S issue – ANCAP

By: Environmental & OHS

Environmental & OHS — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:50:28 +0000

Safety in the road is very important, just like at work. Implementing this actions whenever you buy vehicles is a must.

By: Dlr1

Dlr1 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:42:02 +0000

For buyers of vans the issue is not just as simple as buying a van with a 4 star safety rating. the 3 manufacturers of the 4 star models do not cover all configurations of vans. The iLoad is only available in one body style, there is no LWB model, The VWs are only available as front wheel drive unless you spend well over 40K for a 4motion. The Vito van s are all Automatics with the exception of the base model 65/70kW diesel. Basicall y if you want a LWB (2.9 to 3 meter load length) Petrol RWD with a manual transmission you have no choice but to buy a 3 star Hiace.

By: Sumodog

Sumodog — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:19:57 +0000

Same goes for utes such as BT-50 ,Ranger, Hilux, Rodeo, Triton etc…. Those are light years behind in passive and active safety.

By: Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:06:22 +0000

The OHS issues are not so simple as to be safe or unsafe particularly when one looks closely at the work-related activities associated with a work vehicle. The OHS regulators have only recently begun to apply themselves to the reality of work vehicle, as opposed to the transport vehicle.
More from the OHS angle is available at http://safetyatworkblog.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/vehicles-are-workplaces-too/

By: Baddass

Baddass — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:03:22 +0000

I know most people who buy vans do so for the practicality, but I’m betting there is a large market for vans with a little bit of style. You would have thought the Euros would have figured this out by now, but with examples like the Fiat Ducato and the Volkswagen Transporter, it would seem not.

By: CrustyTheClown

CrustyTheClown — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:42:52 +0000

Really, the only unsafe van i can think of is the Mitusbishi L300 Express.

How many if any stars is it in ANCAP rating?

God, that has been around since i was a little kid.

Tough and long lasting though.

Most foward control vans are never going to be as safe as a car, no crumple zone, some are better, the Express van would not be a choice to crash in

By: nothanks

nothanks — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:14:56 +0000

Joe// Of course, the safety (crash) rating is important…My point is that SAFE DRIVING is much more critical or important than the safety rating in order to prevent or avoid an accident (Injury and Death).

By: YesPlease

YesPlease — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:02:23 +0000

^^ What are “stastics”. Are they simple numbers for spastics like “Nothanks”?

By: Reckless1

Reckless1 — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:01:49 +0000

This ruling is long overdue. Workplace safety (or OHS as it is often known) is taken extremely seriously these days, as it should be.

If I were a van driver wit a company for a long time, driving a Vito or a VW van (they are the same thing basically) and the boss decided to cheapskate and force me into a Mitsubishi Express or Toyota van, I would be seriously unhappy.

If that led to an accident and caused me injury, I would sue the employer for everything possible, for it would be largely his fault. I know I could resign, but most people who are van drivers wouldn’t.

Same scenario applies to commercial utes, some of which (Toyota LC ute and Troopy) you cannot even buy airbags if you wanted to.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:01:40 +0000

No, not really… because you’re trying to justify to everyone why the ANCAP crash ratings shouldn’t count, and I don’t agree with it.

Go on Youtube and look up some crash tests, maybe it’ll change your mind somewhat

P.S. not all accidents are caused by the person driving their own vehicle, some are the fault of someone else. How can we stop these? We can’t, and thats why cars need to be safe in accidents.