Safe Cars
Car safety refers to how well a car:
- prevents a crash occurring or reduces the effects of a crash
- protects its driver and passengers in a crash
- protects other road users in a crash
Advancements in technology, design and safety standards have greatly improved car safety over time. They help drivers avoid crashes and protect car occupants in the event of a crash.
Buying a safe car
If you are thinking of buying a car, make sure you buy the safest car for your budget. The safety of cars varies considerably.
To gauge how effectively a car can protect you and others, it is important to check its safety rating before you buy – more stars mean a safer car. You can check the safety ratings for a broad range of new cars and most models of used cars. If you can’t find a rating for a specific car, it is important that you look for a car that has the safety features described on this page.
Car safety technology is advancing all the time. Newer cars are generally safer than older models. This is because newer cars typically include safety features which can significantly:
- reduce your risk of having a crash
- improve your chance of survival if you do crash.
The My first car safety checklist (PDF, 162.3 KB) helps you assess the safety of a car before you buy it.
Car safety ratings
In Australia, the level of safety a car provides is assessed and scored through star rating systems:
Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)
ANCAP provides independent information on how well a car:
- protects occupants and other road users in serious front and side crashes
- can avoid or minimise the severity of a crash.
ANCAP assesses vehicles for:
- adult occupant protection
- child occupant protection
- vulnerable road user protection, such as risk and severity of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists in a crash
- safety assistance technology.
Visit ANCAP to learn about what makes a car safe and how cars are tested for safety.
Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR)
If you are looking to buy a second-hand car, use the UCSR to find the safest second-hand car in your budget. The ratings are based on Australian and New Zealand crash data from 1987 to 2022.
There is a big difference in driver protection between the best and worst cars across all those rated in the UCSR.
A driver in the worst-rated vehicle is 10 times more likely to lose their life or be seriously injured in the same crash than a driver in the safest vehicle. (Source: MUARC Report 371)
The overall star rating applied to each vehicle in the Used Car Safety Ratings rates how well a car:
- protects its driver in the event of a crash,
- protects other road users
- can reduce the likelihood of a crash occurring.
Some 5-star used cars are highlighted as a 'Safer Pick' if they achieve all these criteria:
- 5 stars for Overall Safety rating
- 5 stars for Driver Protection rating
- at least 4 stars for Other Road User Safety and Crash Avoidance.
Download the Used Car Safety Ratings 2025 brochure (PDF, 5.1 MB).
Car safety features
Car safety features are advancing all the time. Safety features include car structure, restraints and driver assist technologies. These safety features provide car occupants and other road users with the best chance of avoiding and surviving a crash.
Most modern cars give protection through active and passive safety systems:
- Active safety systems are designed to minimise the impact of a crash or avoid it completely. These include most driver assist technologies or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). For example, collision avoidance technologies.
- Passive safety systems are designed to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. These include airbags and seatbelts.
Active safety features
Driver assist technologies improve your safety and make driving more convenient and efficient.
They help drivers avoid danger by warning of potential hazards. Some systems use sensors and cameras to intervene automatically to keep occupants and other road users safe.
Common examples include:
- braking and vehicle steering control
- collision warning and avoidance
- speed and following distance management.
Learn more about driver assist technologies.
Passive safety features
Passive safety features do not prevent a crash. Instead, they work to prevent or reduce harm to the driver and passengers if a crash occurs.
Airbags (front, side, curtain and knee)
In a crash, airbags deploy to reduce the risk of drivers and passengers hitting the steering wheel, dashboard or side windows. This minimises serious or life-threatening injuries.
Airbags are designed to work with seatbelts. Watch the video to learn about curtain airbags.
Seatbelts
Seatbelts are compulsory in Australia. Three-point lap-sash seatbelts help keep the driver and passengers in their seats in a sudden stop or crash.
Modern seatbelts include pre-tensioners and load limiters. These are more effective in reducing injury for vehicle occupants.
Seatbelts must be worn appropriately, properly adjusted and fastened.
More car safety information
My Licence has information on safety features when buying a safer vehicle.
Electric vehicles
As more electric vehicles (also known as 'EVs') appear on our roads, drivers and pedestrians should understand their unique safety features.
The Department for Energy and Mining has more information about electric vehicles.
Buying a safe caravan or camper trailer
Towing a caravan or camper trailer with an underpowered or underbraked car is tiring, inconvenient and unsafe. Check what you can tow with your car before you buy a caravan or trailer.
For resources and information to keep you safe when towing your caravan, go to Caravan and Camping SA.
Visit My Licence for information on towing and buying a safe caravan or camper trailer.
Securing a load
Loads must be secure because loose loads can be dangerous to you and other drivers.
Visit My Licence for information on towing and loads.
Airbag recall
In 2018, the Australian Government issued a compulsory recall for all vehicles with defective Takata airbags. These airbags could cause serious injury or even death.
To see if your vehicle is affected and what to do, visit the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.
ADAS Assist
ADAS Assist is a dedicated site that has simple summaries and short videos about driver assist features. The website explains what they do and how they work for over 30 common features.
Learn how to maximise the benefits of the technology on ADAS Assist.