The Automobile Association has called for higher safety standards on all cars imported into New Zealand in a move designed to lower the road toll.
The motoring organisation announced that both new and used imported vehicles should have to meet stringent crash ratings.
The change forms part of the AA's road safety improvements campaign on the road to the general election.
It wants used imports to have at least a three-star crash rating, and for new imports to have at least a four-star rating under the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The changes, the AA says, would increase the number of cars with superior crash protection and help reduce the numbers of people killed and injured on New Zealand roads.
AA Motoring Affairs general manager Mike Noon said it was time to make a "decisive stand'' on minimum safety standards.
"The average age of a car in New Zealand is 13 years old. That means a huge proportion of the cars on our roads don't have modern safety features that can help prevent crashes from happening and reduce the consequences if they do," he said.
"We need to increase the amount of our vehicles that have features like Electronic Stability Control, multiple air bags and anti-lock brakes and these changes would speed up this process.
"On average about 150,000 new and used imports have entered our fleet annually in recent years, and we should be ensuring these vehicles are as safe as possible.
"The Ministry of Transport is predicting there will be an increase in the number of people replacing their vehicles over the next five years so this is the perfect time to ensure we take a leap forward in vehicle safety.''
Motorists looking to buy a new or used car can check its safety rating online at a range of websites, including www.aa.co.nz, www.rightcar.govt.nz, and www.ancap.com.au.
Mr Noon said that no matter what price a buyer is looking at, some cars are safer than others and motorists should make it one of their key considerations before purchasing.
He said: "The message we want people to understand is all cars are not created equal for safety.
"Just like different makes and models have different fuel-economy, reliability and performance, some cars will protect you better in a crash.
"Buying a five-star car instead of a two-star car could potentially save you and your family's lives and it does not have to come with any compromise in a vehicle's looks, comfort or a higher price tag.''
