Motor cars

There are a number of considerations when you are thinking about which new vehicle to purchase, including comprehensive and CTP insurance.

There is one aspect that needs special consideration – safety. After spending some time looking at makes and models, the vehicle you choose should be safe for your family and protect you in the event of an accident..

Fortunately, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash tests new vehicles regularly to give consumers an idea of the level of safety and performance in a worst-case scenario.

In September and October, ANCAP awarded a number of five-star safety ratings to new vehicles as an indication that they meet the high standards for Australian motorists.

Here is a wrap up of ANCAP’s findings:

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Everyone has noticed the markings, or tyre codes, on the side of their tyres, but I suspect very few of us know what they mean.

We normally have the tyres checked as part of the process for registration and greenslip renewal, so it is good to understand the codes

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The Australian car market is very competitive. Apart from the driver’s licenses, CTP insurance and registration, selecting a vehicle to suit your requirements is easier said than done.

However, this process is about to get a lot simpler with the announcement of this year’s finalists for Australia’s Best Cars Awards. Across 15 categories, 45 finalists have been whittled down from a mammoth 220 contenders.

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Australians are known for our laid back demeanour and appetite for adventure. With a country as vast and varied – from spectacular desert settings to sub-tropical rainforests, there is plenty to see and do in just a day.

However, according to a recent Roy Morgan survey, most of us don’t even have a day to spend enjoying the great outdoors and undertake a good old-fashioned Aussie road trip anymore.

With job commitments increasing and children immersed in laptops and tablets, it is becoming rarer to see a family pack the car and head out for a day of adventure.

Based on the results of close to 17,000 respondents, just 36.9 per cent of Australians aged 14+ had taken a day trip by car in the year to June 2014. This was down from 41.1 per cent in June 2010.

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There are a number of considerations when you decide to trade in your old vehicle. However, possibly the biggest one is whether to invest in a second hand vehicle or a brand new one.

If you don’t have enough capital to afford a new car, then choosing a used car is your option.

To assist in this process, the NSW government has announced the release of the latest used car safety guide. The aim of the guide is to provide buyers with sufficient advice to make good decisions about an older vehicle. There are some misconceptions about second hand cars, but careful investigation should point you in the right direction.

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Road users in regional and rural NSW understand the frustrations and inadequacies of country roads.

The latest example of NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program was completed when Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay and Member for Dubbo Troy Grant this week opened the upgraded intersections on Derribong Street in Narromine.

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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has begun proceedings in the Federal Court against Coles, Woolworths, BP, Caltex, 7-Eleven and fuel price information service ‘Informed Sources’.

ACCC’s initial investigations focus on the Melbourne fuel market, but could set a precedent across the country in the coming months. It is alleged the fuel price information (updated in 15 minute intervals) supplied to Informed Sources is being used by rival retailers to spike costs.

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When you decide to purchase a new vehicle, there are a number of considerations to take into account. This includes making sure you have appropriate comprehensive insurance and that you have undertaken a ctp greenslip comparison. Have you thought about safety ratings?

A vehicle is an investment in you and your family’s safety so you should be going out of your way to analyse and compare safety features. If you are looking into buying a new vehicle today, you extremely fortunate that technology advances with every new model.

To take some of the guess work out of purchasing a safe new car, you can investigate findings of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). For over 20 years, the crash test authority has tested over 400 new vehicles to see how they shape up in a head-on accident.

ANCAP awards vehicles a star rating based on their performance with many cars achieving the maximum five stars. The authority has recently announced its latest round of safety ratings with three models receiving the coveted accolade.

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Animal strikes can happen at any time on NSW roads. From an accident with a dog or cat in a residential area  to a collision with a cow or kangaroo in rural and regional parts of the state.

It is important to remember that any incident involving an animal could have serious consequences for the wildlife itself, but also the wellbeing of the motorist. Depending on the vehicle’s speed, there could also be significant damage to the vehicle as well.

NRMA insurance has found NSW has more than double the amount of animal collisions than any other state. The insurance provider revealed animal strikes were up 12 per cent on 2012, with the animal most likely to be hit being a kangaroo.

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