Car safety technology has come a long way in recent years with the introduction of features designed to not only protect you in a crash but also other road users. But what safety features are must-haves when buying a new car?
Words: Jeremy Rochow
Nine in 10 new-car buyers prioritise safety when purchasing a vehicle, according to a recent RAC WA survey. At the same time, only 68 per cent of respondents said they knew their vehicle's ANCAP safety rating.
It's no secret buying a new car can be an overwhelming experience and safety is just one consideration. You're bombarded with information – some of it helpful and some of it part of the sales pitch.
RAA Principal Advisor Future Mobility Peter Nattrass says purchasing the safest vehicle you can is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make.
"It's not just important that your car offers you good protection from injury in a crash," Peter says. "It's also important that your car offers good protection to other road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorbike riders and other drivers."
So, what safety technology should you look for when purchasing a car? Strap on your seatbelt, slide on your favourite sunnies and switch on adaptive cruise control as we take a drive along the car safety tech highway.
Active versus passive
Every vehicle manufacturer provides different safety features as standard. These safety systems can be divided into two categories: passive protection or active crash avoidance systems.
Passive protections are used to reduce injury in a crash and include the likes of seatbelts, airbags and structural features such as crumple zones.
On the other hand, active vehicle technologies are designed to help prevent crashes. Active crash avoidance devices include blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping systems and even driver-drowsiness detection.
Deciphering car safety systems
When researching a new car, you might encounter terms like active cruise control, head-up display and rear cross-traffic alert. These safety technologies all play a role in keeping vehicle occupants and other road users safe. Here are some of the safety features found in modern vehicles.
Autonomous emergency braking automatically activates the brakes to avoid a crash or reduce the impact if the driver hasn't taken any action.
Front collision warning system warns the driver of a potential front collision if the driver hasn't taken any action.
Blind-spot monitoring uses sensors to alert the driver (generally using a light on side mirrors or a beeping sound) that there's another motorist or road user they're unaware of.
Lane-departure warning system warns the driver if the vehicle is unintentionally crossing lane markings.
Lane-keep assist physically corrects the vehicle to keep it in the lane.
Driver-drowsiness detection monitors driver performance using steering angle and other sensory information such as eye movement.
Rear cross-traffic alert identifies vehicles approaching at right angles at the rear of the car. For example, it detects vehicles approaching while a motorist reverses out of a parking space.
Intelligent speed assist is a driver-assist system that uses GPS and traffic-sign recognition to help motorists keep within the speed limits.
Adaptive cruise control is cruise control with the bonus of automatically adjusting the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead.
Head-up display projects speed, navigation and warnings on to your windscreen, allowing you to see this essential driving information without taking your eyes off the road.
Must-have features
You're looking for a new car and decide on the model you want to park in your driveway, but you're not sure what safety features are included with the vehicle.
Do you want all the bells and whistles or more minimal safety features?
"Before looking to purchase a car, it's good to know what safety features you see as a deal-breaker," Peter says.
In 2025, the State Government released the 'My First Car Safety Checklist' to help new drivers buy the safest car they can afford.
The checklist can be used for car buyers purchasing either a new or used car and lists safety essentials you should have in your vehicle, along with recommended safety systems.
"Must-have safety features include anti-lock braking system (ABS), blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, seatbelt pre-tensioners and airbags," Peter says.
"Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, reversing cameras, forward collision warning and daytime running lights are among the safety features on the recommended list."
ANCAP ratings for safety technology
How can a car's safety technology impact its ANCAP safety rating? Quite a bit. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program – better known as ANCAP – is an independent voice on vehicle safety.
It conducts safety-based tests on vehicles sold in Australia and New Zealand and publishes star ratings based on its findings.
Vehicles are evaluated across four key assessment pillars: safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection and post-crash. Safety technologies found in modern cars, including active vehicle technology, are tested.
While vehicles can achieve a maximum of five stars, each of the four key assessment pillars are scored out of 100 points. This means a vehicle can't score low in one category and receive full marks in another assessment area.
ANCAP Chief Executive Carla Hoorweg says many people in the community are aware of ANCAP safety ratings.
"Many Australians recognise ANCAP safety ratings and know where to look for them," Carla says.
"But some don't, especially when buying a car isn't something they're actively thinking about.
"Our research shows that in many households, vehicle choices are shaped by brand familiarity or guided by the person who takes the lead on car decisions.
"For some buyers, once that choice is made, the remaining decision is a practical one, like colour."
You can find safety ratings for new cars at ancap.com.au
Buying a safer used car
Not everyone can afford a new car, but that doesn't mean they can't be informed about the safety of a vehicle.
Each year, the Monash University Accident Research Centre publishes its Used Car Safety Rating (UCSR) report, rating a range of used vehicles manufactured between 1987 and 2022. They're given a rating out of five stars – one star for the cars with the poorest safety to five stars for the best.
Three components of vehicle safety performance are tested:
- How the vehicle protects a driver in a crash.
- How well the vehicle protects other drivers in a crash.
- How key crash avoidance technologies reduce the likelihood of being involved in a crash.
Last year, 25 vehicles received Safer Pick status after receiving five stars for overall safety and driver safety, and a four or five-star rating for other road safety and crash avoidance. Most of these vehicles were manufactured from 2009 onward, showing why newer vehicles have improved safety technology, better design integrity and compliance with safety.
The full UCSR report can be found at mylicence.sa.gov.au/safe-driving-tips/safer-vehicles/buying-a-safe-car
Peter says it's important that people buy the safest vehicle possible, whether it's second-hand or new.
"Newer vehicles are generally safer than older ones, with older vehicles over-represented in crashes where someone is killed," Peter says.
"Spending the time researching the vehicle you're purchasing and making sure it has modern safety technology and a good ANCAP and Used Car Safety Rating, can help save lives."
IMAGES: ANCAP, Getty, Newspress.
