Millions urged to 'thoughtfully consider' new car purchase amid worrying Aussie trend
Young Australians are being encouraged to carefully consider their car choices after new research revealed they face a higher risk of crashes due to poor braking performance in the vehicles they drive.
Nationwide, road crashes are responsible for one in five deaths among people aged 15 to 24.
According to a recent study led by James Boylan at Swinburne University, this in part can be attributed to the fact that younger drivers are more likely to purchase less safe vehicles.
Younger drivers are more likely to drive older, cheaper and less-maintained vehicles due to financial constraints and limited access to safer, newer models. Studies show that budget-conscious young drivers often prioritise affordability over safety features, leading them to purchase cars with outdated braking systems, lower crash safety ratings, and worn-out components.
Boylan said those driving modern cars with higher engine power tend to experience fewer harsh braking incidents. Speaking to Yahoo News, Boylan urged young Aussies to "thoughtfully evaluate" their car choices and to fully understand how vehicle characteristics can influence their driving.
"We found that young drivers who owned vehicles with higher engine power and higher safety ratings tended to have better and safer braking behaviour," he told Yahoo News.
"We recommend that young drivers thoughtfully evaluate a vehicle's features, opting for models with higher safety ratings and avoiding models with very low or very high engine power."
Poor braking can be influenced by several factors, including brake system design, vehicle weight, tyre condition and the responsiveness of the braking components.
One key issue is longer stopping distances, where a vehicle takes more time and distance to stop after the driver applies the brakes.
This can be particularly dangerous in emergency situations where split-second reactions are required to avoid a crash. Older or lower-quality braking systems may struggle to generate enough stopping power, especially when combined with worn-out brake pads or inadequate tyre grip.
Brake fade is another problem, which occurs when a vehicle's brakes become less effective after repeated use, such as during long downhill drives or in stop-and-go traffic. This happens because excessive heat builds up in the braking system, reducing friction and making it harder for the car to slow down.
Inconsistent braking response is also a concern, particularly in older vehicles or those with poor maintenance. Some cars may have brakes that feel spongy or unresponsive, making it difficult for the driver to gauge how much pressure is needed to stop safely.
"[The research] suggests that the safety rating of a vehicle and the engine power of a vehicle are the most influential traits," Boylan said.
"We hope that the results of this research incentivises young people to take the characteristics of a vehicle into account before they buy a vehicle, and also that financial incentives be considered to promote the adoption of safer, easier to drive vehicles for young people."
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The study of 35 young drivers used in-vehicle telematics (which involves GPS tracking, onboard sensors and wireless communication to monitor driving behaviour) over a month, to track harsh braking events.
Researchers applied linear mixed models (LMM) to assess whether factors like vehicle weight, engine power, model year and safety ratings influenced braking behaviour. The findings showed that vehicles with higher engine power and better safety ratings had fewer harsh braking incidents.
The research findings come as Australia introduced a sweeping new mandate at the start of this month, forcing all vehicles sold in Australia to be equipped with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems. The AEB technology automatically applies the brakes if a collision is imminent, reducing impact severity or preventing crashes altogether.
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