Summer safety

Leading Australian motoring authority, the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, suggests that a little extra care and attention in preparing the family car for the holiday season is the best way to ensure a safe, happy summer.

With the view in mind that the last thing holidaymakers want is the frustration of breakdowns -- not to mention safety compromises -- the VACC has suggested a list of guidelines aimed at ensuring the family car enters into the spirit of things in fine fettle.

VACC executive director David Purchase says: "Many people simply load up the family car and head off on the summer trip, blindly assuming the car is up to the job.

"Sometimes, in the rush, the last thing they think about is the safe operation of the car. How good are the tyres, and the brakes? When were they last checked?"

Purchase suggests that one way of avoiding problems is to have the family car professionally checked out before setting off on summer holidays.

"Properly functioning lights, brakes, tyres, steering and restraints are vital to a vehicle's safe operation," he said, adding that motorists need to be especially careful if they are going to be towing.

"Many holiday makers simply dust off the trailer, boat or caravan, hitch them up and drive off without checking their roadworthiness.

"Tyres, wheel bearings and towing shackles in particular should be examined on trailers, boats and caravans.

"If in doubt, get the towing vehicle checked by a licensed caravan dealer or manufacturer to make sure of the car's towing capacity."

He suggests that, at the same time: "They can also have a look at the gas cylinders, electricity and lighting systems."

Brakes
Brake component wear or malfunction can go unnoticed until it is too late, unless inspected regularly. Pad and disc rotor wear or warpage can cause premature overheating and reduce stopping performance significantly. Leaking hydraulic components constantly distribute slippery fluid on the contact areas of brakes and can cause complete failure of the braking system.

Steering
Worn steering components can contribute to unstable braking, poor control while turning and loss of control at high speed. Malfunctioning shock absorbers reduce tyre contact with the road and can destabilise the vehicle on rough surfaces or in the event of hitting a pothole at high or low speeds. Correctly operating steering components are critical to maintain vehicle control in both normal driving and in collision avoidance situations.

Restraints
The restraint of passengers is vital in the reduction of death or serious injuries in accidents. Frayed or worn material or inoperable rollers are extremely important to the correct operation of the entire seat belt. Structural damage and rust in the floor pan of a vehicle can cause failure of seat and belt anchorage points in the event of an accident, rendering the restraint system useless.

Lights
A correctly operating lighting system is just as important to the driver of a vehicle as it is to other road users. A faulty lighting system will not only make it difficult for the driver to see the road in poor visibility conditions but also make it difficult for other road users to see them. Incorrectly working brake or indicator lights give other drivers no warning of changing behaviour and increase the incidence of rear-impact accidents.

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