Gen Y drivers prefer risking safety to save money

Melbourne: One in three Gen Y drivers prefer to spend money on a sound system than safety features, a new survey has revealed.

An independent consumer survey by Canstar Blue found Australian drivers were taking unsafe risks because of the high cost of servicing vehicles. Generation Y are the most likely to drive an unserviced car, with 38 per cent saying they have let their car go past the “service by” date in order to save money. This is compared with 26 per cent of Generation X and 12 per cent of Baby Boomers. The survey also showed 30 per cent of Gen Y respondents would be more likely to spend money on a sound system than safety features when buying a new car compared with only 4 per cent of Baby Boomers and 16 per cent of Gen X. Canstar Blue manager Rebecca Logan said the numbers were disturbing. “A substantial number of Australians are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk to save money given neglecting their cars in this way is likely to cost them far more in the long run,” Courier Mail quoted her as saying. “Irregular car servicing places motorists at risk through a greater chance of oil sludge build up on the engine, mechanical failure on the road, excessive wear and tear and far greater running costs in the long term.” The survey also showed some Australians are driving their cars unregistered in order to save money, including 16 per cent of Gen Y, compared with only 2 per cent of Baby Boomers and 8 per cent of Gen X. ANI