What's the news?
Toyota is promoting the addition of new 'Safety Sense' technology on its Aygo city car as a way of keeping the country's younger and first-time drivers safe.
The manufacturer is now offering Safety Sense as standard equipment on the A-segment machine, with the package including Pre-Collision System (a collision warning and autonomous braking programme to prevent rear-end shunts) and Lane Departure Alert (which issues an audio-visual warning to stop a driver weaving out of their lane unintentionally).
Data shows that across Ireland, first-time drivers typically buy older, second-hands cars because they're cheaper - but they also have a much lower level of safety features. However, more than 70 per cent of fatalities for drivers under the age of 25 occur in vehicles which are, on average, 16 years old. And in order not to price young drivers out of the equation, the Toyota Aygo with Safety Sense is available from just €122 per month.
Liz O'Donnell, chair of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), who recently spoke at the Toyota Ireland AGM, said: "Our statistics show very clearly that younger drivers are the most vulnerable age group, with 16-25 year olds making up 25 per cent of all driver fatalities in 2014. Any technology or advancement that improves road safety for drivers on Irish roads is sincerely welcomed by the RSA."
Anything else?
Steve Tormey, the chief executive of Toyota Ireland, added: "At Toyota, we're incredibly focused on delivering technologies which can help make Irish roads safer. The Aygo in particular is a very popular car among young and first-time drivers, due to its high level of specification, stylish looks and overall affordability. We are delighted to now be able to include Toyota Safety Sense as standard in these vehicles to help younger drivers stay safe."