Safety

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness for the mandatory Takata recall, which still requires approximately 1.6 million Australian vehicles to be repaired by December 2020.As reported, many vehicles around the world have been fitted with potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators which, if not replaced, can project metal shards at occupants when the airbag deploys.At least 24 deaths and 266 injuries have been reported globally as a direct result of the faulty Takata inflators.Given the serious risk to safety, the FCAI hopes to accelerate the recall process with its new campaign called 'Don't Die Wondering', which will roll out on various advertising mediums, directing people to its website.The recently-launched site is a central location where Australians can check to see if their vehicle is affected by the recall.Approximately 3.05 million Australian vehicles were fitted with Takata airbag inflators, though around half of those are still yet to have had their free-of-charge replacement.Around 19,500 of those are fitted with 'Alpha' airbags, which are known to be the most volatile of the Takata inflators.The remaining vehicles are fitted with 'Beta' airbags, which still pose a serious risk to occupant safety.FCAI chief executive Tony Weber expressed the severity of the recall, urging affected owners to take action."Some 19,500 vehicles in Australia still need to have their Alpha airbag inflators replaced as a matter of utmost urgency," he said."In certain circumstances, there is a chance as high as one-in-two that these may rupture on deployment in a collision."These vehicles with Alpha airbag inflators should not be driven, and owners should immediately contact their manufacturer."If a faulty Takata airbag inflator ruptures, metal fragments will propel out of the airbag and into the vehicle cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death to occupants."It is vital that vehicle owners don’t underestimate the seriousness of this national recall."Affected owners can text 'Takata' to 0487 AIRBAG to learn more information on the recall, or can visit www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au.

Volkswagen Group Australia will tomorrow initiate its call back program for Volkswagen and Skoda vehicles caught up in the Takata airbag recall.

Ford Australia has confirmed its new Ranger Raptor performance flagship will not be equipped with auto emergency braking (AEB) when it is released locally in October.In fact, fewer than half of the forthcoming updated Ranger variants will feature AEB when they first hit Australian showrooms.The Raptor will be by far the most expensive of the Ranger line-up, checking in at $74,990 plus-on road costs.For perspective, the updated Wildtrack the Raptor is based on comes with standard AEB and is $11,000 less expensive at $63,990.However, at the international launch of the hi-po pick-up in the Northern Territory this week, Ford Asia Pacific vice-president of product development Trevor Worthington said AEB would eventually become standard on all Ranger variants, including the Raptor."For the change that we're making with the (new Ranger), about 70 to 80 per cent of our Rangers will have AEB," he said."There are a couple of derivatives that we're still delivering the plan on, so we've got a firm plan to introduce AEB on all the other Rangers, and we're working on it."You'll notice there are some physical differences between the (updated Ranger) and the (Raptor) that we've had to do that mean (AEB) will be available in the not too distant future."We know how important it is. We've got lots and lots of safety features, so it'll be available soon."While AEB may not be equipped from launch, the Raptor will come with a catalogue of standard driver-assist systems which includes lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition, cruise control, speed limiter, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway control and roll-over mitigation.According to Mr Worthington, it was due in part to the complexity of the vehicle that made it too difficult to incorporate AEB."Programs like these are very, very complex with all the technology, and there's a lot of new uniqueness with this vehicle that really means we weren't able to do it for (the first production car)," he said."We've got a firm plan. We're working on the plan, and we'll let you know when we've got a firm date.""We'll be in a position next year to let you guys know when the rest of the range – the 20 per cent that don't have the feature – will get it."As previously reported, the Raptor gets its grunt from a 2.0-litre 'EcoBlue' twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that is capable of delivering 157kW/500Nm.With its wet weight of 2404kg, the Blue Oval pick-up will complete the 0-100km/h dash in 10.5 seconds before topping out at 170km/h.Power is sent to all four wheels using a dual-range transfer case and a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.The Raptor is designed to handle a wide range of terrains and uses Fox Racing Internal Bypass twin-tube shock absorbers front and rear.Also distinguishing the vehicle from its siblings are 17-inch black alloy wheels with 285/70 BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tyres, a bespoke bodykit, high-strength steel bash plate, sheet moulded front fenders, four tow hooks, black wheel-arch extensions and heavy-duty skid plates.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has issued its latest safety ratings, awarding top marks to both the Mazda CX-8 seven seater and the Volvo XC40 crossover.

Is it illegal to drive on prescription drugs? Well, yes and no. It all depends on the medication. When we think of driving under the influence of drugs, we usually think illicit substances. But according to Health Direct, an initiative of the Australian federal government, it’s actually illegal to drive under the influence of any drugs that impair your ability to drive - including legal medications.The NSW Road and Maritime Services (RMS) guidelines on drugs and alcohol clearly state that it’s illegal to drive while affected by drugs, but goes on to clarify that some over-the-counter and prescription drugs may be legally taken while driving while others may not.In short, it is your responsibility as a driver to always read the labels of any medication you’re taking and to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether or not your driving will be affected. Never get behind the wheel if the label, or a medical professional, tells you that your concentration, mood, coordination or reactions as a driver could be compromised by a medication. In particular, the RMS warns that painkillers, sleeping pills, medications for allergies, some diet pills and some cold and flu medicines can impair your ability to drive.The Northern Territory government’s website has almost identical advice for driving on prescription drugs, while the Queensland government’s website also warns that some alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies, can affect driving.According to Access Canberra, it’s illegal to drive in the ACT while your ability is affected by illness, injury or medical treatment - and, as is the case around Australia, it’s illegal to hold a licence without reporting any permanent or long-term illness or injury that could affect your ability to drive safely.When you do report it, you may be required to undertake a medical assessment with a GP in order to get your licence. If you’re in the ACT and unsure as to whether or not you need to report a medical condition, you can phone Access Canberra on 13 22 81.According to the South Australian government, the common roadside saliva-swab drug tests don't detect prescription or common over-the-counter medications such as cold and flu tablets, but drivers who are impaired by drugs that are either prescription or illicit can still be prosecuted. It’s pretty safe to assume that if driving in Tasmania, Western Australia, or Victoria, you’d also be at risk of being prosecuted if you were caught driving under the influence of a prescription drug that is known to impair driving. For more specific information about driving with diabetes, you can visit the Diabetes Australia website and for information about driving with epilepsy, you can consult the Epilepsy Action Australia website on driving.And always remember that, while you should consult your insurance agreement for the most accurate information, if you have a collision while under the influence of medication that impairs driving, it’s almost certain that your insurance coverage will be voided. This article is not intended as legal advice. You should check with your local road authority to verify the information written here is suitable to your situation before driving.

Yes, it's illegal to speed while passing another car. In fact, it's illegal to drive in excess of the speed limit at any time, no matter the circumstances.It's a common misconception that you can speed when overtaking, particularly when you're driving on country roads and you rightly want to get past as fast as possible. But while it might feel safer to try and complete an overtaking move quickly, you must always obey the speed limits or risk a significant fine. According to the Royal Automobile Association, the reason you can't speed while passing a car is because courts describe driving over the speed limit as an absolute offence - one that doesn't have exceptions and for which there are no excuses. However, the RAA also notes that it's illegal for a driver to increase their speed while another car is trying to pass. While most states and territories don't directly address how to pass cars on the road safely, there are a couple of exceptions. The New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services website has a page dedicated to overtaking, as does the Western Australia's Road Safety Comission website.Both pages repeatedly advise that overtaking other vehicles can be dangerous as it's difficult to judge the amount of distance required to complete the manoeuvre safely, but that this difficulty can't be mitigated by speeding. They reiterate that some of the dangers of overtaking can be lessened through the behaviour of drivers who are being passed; if someone is trying to pass you, you should keep left, stay in your lane, and refrain from increasing your speed. The exact penalties for driving in excess of the speed limit differ state by state and vary in severity according to just how fast you've been caught driving. But beware, the penalties include fines and demerit point penalties.As always, remember that if you're caught speeding, then you could be in breach of your insurance agreement. While you should always check your specific agreement for details, be aware that any unlawful behaviour could jeopardise your coverage. This article is not intended as legal advice. You should check with your local road authority to verify the information written here.

Yes, Australian Vehicle Standards demand that you drive with a passenger side mirror at all times. Having your passenger side mirror swiped or in some way damaged would have to be one of the most common risks of parking your car on the street. How many of us have made our way back to our car at some point, only to

Audi has today announced a wide-ranging Takata airbag recall, with owners of the Q5, A5 and A3 impacted.

Technically yes, as it's a safety hazard to not have a working horn.

Yes, it's illegal to drive without compulsory third party insurance in all states and territories of Australia as this insurance provides financial compensation in the event of bodily harm in an accident.While there are many kinds of insurance that you might choose to risk not having, like life insurance, home contents insurance, or travel insurance, compulsory third party insurance (also known as CTP insurance and usually called a green slip in New South Wales) is, yep, compulsory!According to the Insurance Council of Australia, CTP insurance is a requirement in all states and territories of Australia and it covers compensation for all bodily harm that your vehicle might cause in a collision. This legal requirement for everyone on the road exists to make sure that when accidents happen, compensation for injuries is guaranteed. But it doesn't protect you from being financially liable for anything other than causing bodily harm, and doesn't cover you for any damage caused to your vehicle, so it's important that you also look into different, additional kinds of car insurance like comprehensive insurance, fire and theft only and third party property only.So how do you make sure that you don't get caught out without CTP insurance? Well the most important thing you need to do is only drive cars that are registered and keep any cars that you own registered, as CTP insurance is required as part of the registration process - although it's important to note that the process differs from state to state. As Compare The Market explains, CTP insurance is included in your registration in most states, but in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, you have to choose your CTP insurer.The penalties for driving unregistered and uninsured vary across Australia, but in general you're looking at some pretty hefty fines.According to the New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services website, in NSW you'll risk a $607 fine for driving a vehicle that's unregistered and a $530 fine for driving a vehicle that's uninsured. In South Australia, according to the Royal Automobile Association, you can be fined $366 plus a $60 victims of crime levy for driving an unregistered vehicle and a whopping $677 plus a $60 victims of crime levy for driving a vehicle not insured with compulsory third party insurance.Obviously, since CTP insurance exists to protect you from financial burden in the event of an accident, if you drive without it then you're not only risking getting in trouble with the law but you're also putting yourself in a very precarious position in the event of a crash. You'll be financially liable.This article is not intended as legal advice. You should check with your local road authority to verify the information written here is suitable to your situation before driving in this manner.