Why nine million motorists refuse to pay as little as £200 for vital LIFE-SAVING car safety kit
Millions of drivers shun safety options that could save 1,100 lives in the next 10 years in favour of upgraded sat-navs and touchscreens
MOTORISTS are risking lives by refusing to shell out on extra safety kit when buying new cars instead choosing to spend cash on gadgets.
Systems like autonomous emergency braking (AEB) have the potential to save 1,100 lives and prevent 120,000 casualties over the next 10 years and can cost just £200 for a basic system.
But despite four out of five drivers admitting safety tech is important when buying a new motor, nearly nine million refuse to pay extra for the life-saving kit despite the fact it can reduce accidents by a third.
Car buyers are instead spending their money on upgraded infotainment kit like sat-navs, touchscreens, DAB radio and Apple CarPlay.
The startling figures were revealed by Thatcham's Stop the Crash partnership which is campaigning for drivers to make the lack of safety kit a "deal-breaker" when purchasing to encourage manufacturers to fit the tech as standard.
Just one of 2017's best-selling vehicles currently has AEB fitted as standard across the range despite its life-saving potential.
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The average cost of a full system - often bundled together as part of a safety pack - is £1,300 but take up on UK forecourts is just 3.5 per cent.
That's down to dealers not having vehicles fitted with the kit available on display plus the appeal of more luxurious gadgets in the showroom.
Three-point plan to save lives
- AEB as standard: fit life-saving tech as standard on all new makes and models
- Safety stocked: make cars with AEB and lane keep assist available for test drives and demos on forecourts
- Safety training: manufacturers to invest in dealer training so safety tech is better explained to drivers
Matthew Avery, director of research at Thatcham, said: "Our good safety intentions seem to evaporate on arriving at the dealership.
"There’s an urgent need to change the consumer mind-set to negotiate for the inclusion of additional safety options, if not standard, just as we would with other consumables or features.
"Especially when they can cost as little as £200. Safety should be a deal-breaker, not a nice to have.”