ANCAP

Manufacturers may soon be required to include an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system as standard on all new cars sold in Australia, under a recent Federal Government proposal to reduce road trauma caused by light vehicles. In a Regulation Impact Statement issued in October 2020, the Government proposed introducing a new Australian Design Rule (ADR) mandating car-to-car and pedestrian-detecting AEB systems on all new-generation models from July 2022, and on all new cars from July 2024.

The 2020 Ford Puma will land in Australia this month with a five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) – a score applicable to every variant in the brand's new small SUV line-up. Ford Australia's latest arrival received scores of 94 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 77 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 74 per cent for safety assist.

A database of 500 new and used cars – with instructions on how to cut them open after a crash – is now only a fingertip away for emergency services and could save lives by saving valuable seconds. ANCAP Rescue is a new app produced by Australia’s crash test authority – the Australasian New Car Assessment Program – and is available free of charge to fire and rescue crews who need to find the fastest way to safely cut open a vehicle after a major incident.

Real-life dash cam footage will be used in a new road safety campaign later this year – and Australia’s crash test authority is asking motorists to send in footage of dodgy drivers and near misses. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) started out comparing the crash protection of popular models but as technology has evolved it has expanded its procedures to now also test the systems designed to prevent crashes in the first place.

ANCAP has awarded the Tesla Model X, Audi A7 and Q8, and the MG HS five stars in its latest round of crash tests, but the Hyundai Venue city SUV fell short. The independent safety body called the all-electric Tesla Model X the "standout performer" among the five cars tested, record-equalling scores for adult occupant protection and safety assist. Meanwhile, the Audi A7 and Q8 demonstrated "good performance in all assessment areas".