Mandating Minimum Safety Standards for the Government Vehicle Fleet

The Tasmanian Government is setting standards for new cars across the Tasmanian Government Vehicle Fleet.

The Tasmanian Government has launched a ground-breaking initiative to improve the safety of the State Government's vehicle fleet. Government vehicles are also sold through the second-hand car market into the general Tasmanian vehicle fleet, improving the safety of Tasmania's vehicles.

The Tasmanian Government recognises the importance of vehicle safety in minimising road trauma and has decided to become a leader in this area. Tasmania is the first Australian jurisdiction to mandate a minimum safety standard for its entire Government vehicle fleet.

From July 2008 for vehicles to be included in the Tasmanian Government vehicle fleet contract they must either meet a:

A minimum four-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety rating.

OR, if no minimum four-star ANCAP rating,

A minimum set of safety features, namely:

For Passenger Vehicles

Mandatory	Optional	Transition to Mandatory
Dual front airbags	Electronic Stability Control	2010
Side airbags (front) and/or Curtain Airbags	Curtain Airbags	2010
3-point seat belts	Intelligent Speed Assistance	When commercially available
Antilock Braking System (ABS)	Automatic Head Lamps & Daytime Running Lights
Head restraints (minimum 4)	Speed Alert System
Seat belt reminder system	Reversing sensors/ cameras where available
Cargo barriers (fitted if available and if regularly carrying freight)

For Commercial Vehicles

Mandatory	Optional	Transition to Mandatory
Dual front airbags	Side airbags (front) and/or Curtain Airbags	2010
3-point seat belts (minimum 2 or 4)	3-point seat belts all positions	2010
Antilock Braking System (ABS) where available	Electronic Stability Control	2012
Head restraints (minimum 4, 2 for utilities)	Intelligent Speed Assistance	When commercially available
Seat belt reminder system	Automatic Head Lamps & Daytime Running Lights
Cargo barriers (fitted if available and if regularly carrying freight)	Speed Alert System
	Reversing sensors/ cameras where available

This initiative is supported by a public education campaign that encourages the community to place importance on these safety features when purchasing new vehicles.