Why safety should influencE Car Buying Decisions

Nobody will know who was killed in a particular car make you think it's easier?

Nobody in Britain has died in an accident involving a Volvo V40. That's quite a statement, is not it? It was made for me by an expert on security organization Thatcham Research, and is a kind of statement that would steer some of the car-buying decisions, I'll bet.

Understandably Volvo will not shout about it, at least I suspect because of the potential impact when someone - like it or not, I think - not to die in one. However, it hammers home the point made in recent Safest Used Family Car Awards, run by Co-Op Insurance and supported by Thatcham.

As well as naming the V40 with an optional security package installed as the winner, the committee surveyed Choice society in relation to their understanding of the safety equipment and the importance of that factor when choosing a car. The results are pretty dismal.

It was revealed only 4% a safety car at the top of their purchase criteria - criteria such as color, brand and performance priorities taking (as well as the more obvious, such as price, mileage and fuel economy).

The survey further revealed that 68% of potential buyers do not know what the safety rating of their own cars, and 54% did not ask any questions about the safety features such as Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Detection.

Do we really care little about safety? Actually, I think it's more the case that we take for granted. Even then Director of Research Thatcham, Matthew Avery, has some words of wisdom, showing that the five star cars used are much safer than significantly lower rated incorrect; even on a budget of a few thousand pounds, he said, you can prioritize safety.

The challenge is how rulemakers and lobby groups to change the status quo. In part, they work with it, to encourage manufacturers to fit the kit as standard so that people buy do not have to think about it. The problem is, they have to pay for it - so some manufacturers understandably reluctant to increase prices to offset that additional security equipment.

The only other way to progress the cause is through education. Awards named UK top 10 safest to use the family car, but set a minimum standard of a five-star Euro NCAP, priced at under £ 15,000 and CO2 emissions of less than 120g / km.

This is not a catch all list by any means - different buyers have different priorities - but it seems a reasonable start in the long journey in the heart of the decision to buy a used car.

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