Road safety advocates want better import standards for large utes
The National Transport Research Organisation is calling on the Australian federal government to tighten safety standards for imported large utes, citing a 270% increase in sales since 2019. US data shows fatal pedestrian crashes involving pick-ups are four times more likely to occur during a turn than those involving cars.
The National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) is lobbying the Australian federal government to raise safety standards for large, imported US-style pick-up trucks. Since 2019, there has been a 270% increase in sales of large utes in Australia. US data shows vehicles with bonnet heights above 1 metre are about 45% more likely to cause pedestrian deaths. NTRO chief executive Michael Caltabiano said the growing popularity of the vehicles warranted a review of safety standards. The federal government says it continually reviews road vehicle standards to ensure the market is 'safe, secure and sustainable'. ANCAP Safety data shows the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a Bronze rating last year, with a score of 27% for collision avoidance. Mr Caltabiano is calling for the government to raise importation safety standards and to do so quickly, citing concerns over safety infrastructure and road conditions.
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