Aust govt 'recognises importance' of delivering safer roads

The government says that even it a difficult budget it recognises the important work of ANCAP to help deliver safer roads and better vehicle standards.

"The 2014–15 budget commits $1.1 million to support ANCAP in 2014–15 and 2015–16, delivering federal funding for the next two years," Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Jamie Briggs, said in a statement (21 May).

"ANCAP is Australia's leading independent vehicle safety advocate, providing buyers with vehicle safety information, and encouraging manufacturers to provide the safest vehicles possible.

"To promote safer vehicles, ANCAP conducts independent crash testing and awards star ratings to vehicles based on the level of safety they provide in the event of a crash.

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

"This announcement together with the Australian government's record $50 billion infrastructure investment will deliver better roads, improved road safety and increased productivity.

"We are committed to working with organisations like ANCAP to improve road safety and to reduce death and injury on our roads through safer vehicles, safer roads and safer drivers.

"The government is also working to support and strengthen ANCAP into the future by ensuring private sector contributions are leveraged."