Utes Rate Dismally In New Aussie Crash Tests

[JoeT]

Utes Rate Dismally In Crash Tests

AAP
4 April 2006
www.smh.com.au

Two utes on sale in Australia have scored a dismal two stars in the latest crash testing, the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) says.

The results for the Mitsubishi Triton and the Mazda Bravo (also sold as the Ford Courier) were well below the protection levels capable with current technology, ANCAP said.

Three other utes tested, the Toyota Hilux 4x2, Toyota Hilux 4x4 and the Ford Falcon ute, recorded a four-star safety rating and two, the Holden Rodeo 4x2 and the Holden Rodeo 4x4 managed three stars.

ANCAP spokesman Mark Borlace said with just a two-star rating the Mazda and Mitsubishi models, which were not fitted with airbags, offered poor protection.

"The two utes that scored two stars don't offer standard airbags in models tested and we are seriously concerned that new vehicles still don't provide airbags as a standard feature," Mr Borlace said.

"Most passenger vehicles tested by ANCAP receive at least a four-star rating, so it's concerning that not all of the utes were able to reach this level.

"A two-star rating is well below an occupant protection level capable of being achieved by current technology."

Mr Borlace said drivers of utes, like tradespeople and couriers, often travelled many kilometres and were exposed to more crashes.

"Which is why these vehicles must provide a level of occupant protection that is at least on par with passenger vehicles," he said.

Mr Borlace said both Mitsubishi, Mazda and Ford were urged to make driver and passenger airbags standard when new models of the Triton and Bravo were released later this year.

The ANCAP tests involved a frontal impact at 64kph and a side impact test at 50kph.

Four of the utes, the Mazda Bravo, Holden Rodeo 4x4, the Ford Falcon and the Toyota Hilux 4x4 were also tested for the likely injury to a pedestrian hit at 40kph.

All four scored just a one-star rating.

"One star is simply not good enough and shows that the manufacturers of these utes are currently not providing adequate pedestrian protection," said Phil Allan, director of road safety for South Australia's transport department.

Holden's Rodeo didn't rate so well in the latest crash tests

[ChevroletRevived]

Hmm, interesting...

[paul8488]

No airbags? Are they not legally required in Australia?

[asim]

Originally Posted by paul8488

No airbags? Are they not legally required in Australia?

I guess not, are they in France?

[JoeT]

Originally Posted by paul8488

No airbags? Are they not legally required in Australia?

No. The reason they aren't is because the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory out here, unlike the US.

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by asim

I guess not, are they in France?

AFAIK, European Union regulations require driver and passenger airbags and ABS.

[PRO_USA1776]

No. The reason they aren't is because the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory out here, unlike the US.

Not to bust on my OZ friends, but that is simple not true! Seat belts are mandatory by law!

[paul8488]

I'd say these crash tests show that wearing a seatbelt isn't enough, as crash tests would be performed with belted dummies.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by PRO_USA1776

Not to bust on my OZ friends, but that is simple not true! Seat belts are mandatory by law!

Its growing ... no federal law, but 49 states in the US now have mandatory seatbelt laws. Only 21 of those states consider the law a 'primary enforcement law', which allows police to stop motorists that are violating the law.

[jbartley]

guess that confirms it, those utes are total crap.

[RedVee8]

Technically they aren't Utes, rather pickups or mini-trucks.
A Ute is a passenger sar derived vehicle with the tray sides integral with the cab rather than a separate piece.
Moot point I guess.

[FunkyPig]

Seatbelt usage is also a lot higher in Australia.

[vdoh182]

Originally Posted by JoeT

No. The reason they aren't is because the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory out here, unlike the US.

Its mandatory in most places, and carreis a fine in NY and CT, and the can pull u over if you arent wearing it even if you arent doiny anything wrong, in fact on holiday weekends theyll have checkpoints set up where they check every passing car.

[SUPERBADD75]

Originally Posted by vdoh182

Its mandatory in most places, and carreis a fine in NY and CT, and the can pull u over if you arent wearing it even if you arent doiny anything wrong, in fact on holiday weekends theyll have checkpoints set up where they check every passing car.

same as TX. seat belts are fine and good but airbags really have made cars safer when used properly. if you position your seat as far away from the airbag as you can (and still be able to control the vehicle of course) then it has a very good chance of saving your life in an accident. seat belts will keep you in as safe of a position as possible and keep you from being ejected from your car in a crash, but airbags make cars safer overall.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by paul8488

No airbags? Are they not legally required in Australia?

No, they are not legally required. Under Australian Design Rule 69 cars have to comply with a dynamic full frontal barrier crash test requirement, similar to US safety standard FMVSS 208 but with restrained test dummies. Although airbags were not the only option open to vehicle manufacturers to meet ADR 69 requirements, the majority of vehicle manufacturers use them.