NRMA Insurance Survey Reveals Australian Drivers Lack Knowledge About Car Safety Technology

(PRWEB) April 14, 2014

Sydney, NSW: A new survey by NRMA Insurance reveals a concerning lack of knowledge among Australian drivers about car safety technology.

Despite 95 per cent of Australian drivers claiming safety is their first priority, worryingly only one in 10 drivers feel they are truly knowledgeable about car safety*.

There's an obvious need for better education. Awareness of common car safety technologies was also low, with less than 30 per cent able to answer what ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is and only 20 per cent knowing what ESC (Electronic Stability Control) stood for.

The survey also revealed that nearly 60 per cent of drivers did not consider colour as an important factor, yet the NRMA Insurance Research Centre has proved that colour has a direct effect on safety with yellow cars being 10 per cent less likely to be involved in a crash than black ones.

Commenting on the results, Head of Research for NRMA Insurance Robert McDonald expressed his concern about the findings of the survey.

"The results were worrying. Cars have changed a lot over the last 10 years and we urge drivers to understand safety technology and which features to consider when making a car purchase, particularly if buying older, second-hand cars.

"As a leading car insurer, we are committed to road safety and to reducing risk in the community. We are hoping to help people understand the features and technology that can help make cars safer on the road for passengers and pedestrians, so they can make better informed car purchasing decisions," said Mr McDonald.

Additional NRMA Insurance statistics^:

   •  Around half of all collisions occurred in the afternoon between 12pm and 6pm;
   •  The most common day to have a collision was Friday;
   •  NRMA Insurance experienced the highest number of crash claims in the month of May. References:

   •  NRMA Insurance consumer research conducted by Pure Profile on a sample of over 1,000 Australians nationally in February 2014. ^ Based on NRMA Insurance NSW comprehensive motor claims data for the 2013 calendar year.

Source: http://www.nrma.com.au/two-thirds-australian-drivers-dont-know-what-abs

About NRMA Insurance:
NRMA Insurance is a provider of car insurance, motorcycle insurance, home insurance, business insurance, travel insurance, boat insurance, caravan insurance, life insurance, income protection, security and bicycle insurance in NSW, QLD, ACT & TAS (boat and caravan insurance is not offered in Tasmania). For insurance in other states and territories visit SGIO insurance in WA or SGIC insurance in SA. NRMA Insurance, SGIO & SGIC are members of Insurance Australia Group (IAG). NRMA Motoring & Services is a separate and independent company from NRMA Insurance. Insurance (except Travel Insurance, Life Insurance and Income Protection) issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 trading as NRMA Insurance. When making decisions about NRMA insurance consider the applicable Product Disclosure Statement in advance.

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