The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is calling on drivers to check their vehicles for deadly airbags before the upcoming holidays.
Deputy Chair of the ACCC, Delia Rickard said over 65,000 vehicles with deadly Takata airbags remained on Australian roads and there was less than four weeks until the compulsory recall deadline.
“The ACCC is calling on consumers to prepare for a safe holiday by checking their airbags and booking in for a replacement if they are affected by the recall,” Ms Rickard said.
“Takata airbags have the potential to explode in an accident, even in minor ones, and can send sharp metal fragments through the vehicle at high speed, potentially seriously injuring or even killing its occupants,” she said.
“Globally, there have been over 350 injuries and 32 deaths reported, with one death and three injuries in Australia, including one serious injury.”
Ms Rickard said under the compulsory recall, manufacturers were required to replace all the affected Takata airbags by 31 December.
“More than 65,000 of these dangerous vehicles are still on our roads, potentially putting people’s lives in danger,” she said.
“Replacements are free of charge, and there is no excuse for not getting it done.”
She said the ACCC was concerned by the number of people who’d refused to have their airbags replaced and assured consumers that replacements wouldn’t cost them anything but could help protect them and their loved ones.
Ms Rickard said States and Territories were imposing registration sanctions for vehicles affected by the recall and drivers who didn’t get their airbags replaced risked having their vehicle’s registration cancelled.
She said people could check whether their airbag was safe be entering a car’s number plate and State or Territory of registration online at IsMyAirBagSafe.
The IsMyAirBagSafe website can be accessed at this PS News link.
