The Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP), the leading global advocate for vehicle safety, has voiced its strong support for the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) in response to recent unwarranted media criticism in Australia. Global NCAP emphasizes the critical role ANCAP plays in enhancing road safety and providing crucial consumer information.
“New Car Assessment Programs (NCAPs) are proven to be instrumental in saving lives across the globe and are a vital component of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety,” stated David Ward, Secretary-General of Global NCAP. He further expressed bewilderment at the negative commentary surrounding ANCAP, highlighting its significant positive impact on reducing road accidents in Australia and its collaborative role within the international NCAP community.
ANCAP has been at the forefront of vehicle safety advocacy for over two decades, demonstrably elevating the safety standards of vehicles in the Australasian region. Thanks to ANCAP’s effective and clear communication, Australian consumers now prioritize safety as a key consideration when purchasing new vehicles. Moreover, ANCAP, through its partnership with Global NCAP, has been instrumental in supporting the development of new NCAPs in developing regions like South East Asia and Latin America, extending its influence globally.
Despite advancements in vehicle safety, a concerning trend persists where new cars are manufactured with varying safety specifications for different markets. Notably, essential safety technologies are sometimes omitted in vehicles destined for specific regions. In unregulated emerging markets, some vehicle models fail to meet even basic UN crash test standards. NCAPs like ANCAP are crucial in addressing these disparities and driving improvements in vehicle safety that would not occur otherwise. Their work over the past thirty years has been pivotal in achieving the significant strides made in car safety worldwide.
The global significance of NCAPs is widely acknowledged. In a landmark resolution adopted in April of last year, the UN General Assembly specifically called upon Member States to implement NCAPs in “all regions of the world in order to improve availability of consumer information about the safety performance of motor vehicles”. This UN resolution underscores the vital role of programs like the Australasian New Car Assessment Program in the global effort to enhance road safety and protect vehicle occupants.
For more information, please contact Richard Woods, Global NCAP Campaigns & Communications Director at [email protected].
Global NCAP operates as an independent UK-registered charity, serving as the global platform for NCAPs worldwide. It holds consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC), is an active member of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration, and is a staunch supporter of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. Global NCAP’s work is financially supported by esteemed organizations including Bloomberg Philanthropies, the FIA Foundation, International Consumer Testing and Research, and the Road Safety Fund.
[1] See Resolution 68/269. Improving global road safety http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/RES/68/269&referer=http://www.un.org/en/ga/68/resolutions.shtml&Lang=E
