Comments on: VACC survey says 28 per cent of cars unsafe

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:44:37 +0000

I agree with your point re: people not wanting to part with the cash. A mechanic friend tells me horror stories all the time about people with thousands of dollars worth of sound equipment in their cars but reluctant to part with cash for metal to metal brakes.

However your statement regarding Euro cars is a bit far fetched. The smoke trail from the Series 100 Toyota Landcruiser I was following two nights ago was not only blinding but stank. The minutes later I passed a Honda Accord with half its lights missing (2 tail and 1 brake at the rear and one headlight). So I believe that people not wanting to spend money on their cars is not restricted to Euro brands (or any specific brand for that matter).

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:34:10 +0000

In NSW if you purchase a new vehicle it does not require safety inspection until after it is 5 years old.
On a TV show some time back the Sth Aust. version of the RTA and the police carried out a roadside blitz on vehicles resulting in several very, very dangerous vehicles put off the road permanently (one car had only 2 nuts per wheel, and these were finder tight at best!) and many defect notices given out. At the end of the show the authorities interviewed said they were considering doing this on a more permanent basis but I haven’t heard of anything since.

By: AAA

AAA — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:04:29 +0000

I thought this is really really old news.

By: wayne

wayne — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:41:11 +0000

Reading another website Brumby wants to bring compulsory ESP forward by 10 months from the Feds’ legislation, maybe he needs to read the VACC survey first, ESP wont save anyone with cars running around in an unsafe condition!!

By: Bruce

Bruce — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:58:41 +0000

Sadly what Daniel said it 100% true. The morons we have in government have successfully brainwashed people to believe that all you need to do is stay below the speed limit and all is fine. Unfortunatley the police only perpetuate this belief with every accident they find “speed” a contributing factor.

By: Flying High

Flying High — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:14:01 +0000

I think the main problem is people just do not want to part with the cash to have their cars maintained. It really is that simple. They often buy a car that is beyond their means as well – such as a second hand Euro. Case in point – just yesterday I was behind a Merc at the lights. As it puttered off, the smoke trail it left behind was choking as well as being visually blinding. The lady behind the wheel pretended to be oblivious to the problem – but there was no hiding that she knew the story. And I would dare say the smoke would have been the least of the problems that car has….

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:51:31 +0000

Unless they speed they are completely safe.

Thats the message being preached and enforced almost exclusively for some years now.

So why should we then be surprised that is all anyone is paying attention to.

You reap what you soe.

By: ABMPSV

ABMPSV — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:35:05 +0000

Victoria does not have a compulsory annual safety inspection. Maybe not annuly but every 2 years. I Germany if you buy a new car you do not need a safety inspection for 3 year but after that every 2 years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_inspection#Germany

By: Carfanatic

Carfanatic — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:15:18 +0000

I agree with Yanzo, the majority of car owners are completely ignorant to the needs of their cars to keep them safe and in excellent working order.

By: Yanzo

Yanzo — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:50:02 +0000

i don’t think it’s cause people don’t know their tyres are worn out, i think they’re just too lazy to go get new tyres. they’ll be like ah, i’ll get em later. but me, i like going round corners so i’d get mine changed pretty quick