VACC, the peak Automotive Industry body in Victoria, is calling on motorists to take action if there are unusual signs, sounds or vibrations coming from their car.
Motorists and families preparing for Easter are, in particular, encouraged to pay attention to vehicle safety. The long weekend will see an increase in volume on the roads and therefore, an increase in the dangers of driving.
Data produced by VACC, shows 30.38 percent of vehicles on our roads are unsafe with one in five cars having defective tyres. Of the 1,409 vehicles tested this year, under the Five Point Safety Check program, 428 failed (see tables, below).
The Five Point Safety Check is a free service, provided by participating VACC repairers who make an additional check of tyres, brakes, lights, steering and restraints when a vehicle is serviced.
However, repairers have reported that increasing numbers of motorists are in denial about the condition of their vehicle and that many are refusing to agree to crucial safety repairs.
“It is clear to us, that some motorists are deliberately ignoring warning signs, sounds and vibrations from their car,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.
"We have had vehicles with metal casing showing through tyres, with brakes screeching, with cracks in alloy wheels, with wheels wobbling, and yet, amazingly, the owner, or driver, has continued to drive the vehicle.
“It seems impossible to us that these motorists would not have concluded that something was wrong with their car. Therefore, we can only assume, some motorists are prepared to risk their life, the lives of any occupants and the lives of other road users, rather than have their vehicle repaired.
“It is very frustrating that some motorists do nothing about tell tale warning signs.
“We understand money is tight and that some people think they save money by not servicing their car. But an un-serviced car will deteriorate, devalue, become unsafe and be more costly to repair in the long run. Deliberately ignoring signs, sounds and vibrations of an unsafe vehicle is selfish, irresponsible and socially unacceptable,” Mr Purchase said.
