Young drivers in regional Victoria aged 18 to 25 may be eligible to receive a $5,000 subsidy towards buying a safer vehicle as part of the state government’s Unsafe2safe Program.
Under the program up to 120 young Victorians have already bought safer, modern and more reliable vehicles.
The trial program aims to replace 1,000 older vehicles that are over 16 years old with more modern vehicles that have safety features to help prevent crashes – such as Lane Keep Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking systems.
Young drivers are at the greatest risk of being involved in a crash in their first years of solo driving and young regional Victorians driving older cars are 15 times more likely to be killed in crashes compared with the state average.
Of the 84 drivers who have died on Victorian roads this year, 14 were between 18 to 25 years old.
Participants who complete the Vehicle Safety Basics course through the VicRoads e-learning portal will be given priority access to the program.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said the program means more safer cars for more young people in Victoria.
“We know costs can be a real barrier when it comes to buying your first car. The $5,000 subsidy will g a long way in helping young people buy safer cars on the market and ensure they prioritise safety over budget,” she said.
Road Safety Victoria head Marcelo Vidales said the organisation is doing everything possible to reduce trauma on our roads.
“The Unsafe2safe program is just one of the ways we’re addressing safety issues faced by young drivers aimed to lower the risk of them being hurt or killed on our roads,” he said.
Expressions of interest close on August 27, 2023. For more information on eligibility and to apply go online.
Details: engage.vic.gov.au/unsafe2safe
