The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued an urgent safety alert warning that 20,000 vehicles already under recall for defective Takata airbags are now classified as ‘critical’.
In a statement, the ACCC warned that cars with airbags listed as critical “should not be driven”, with the classification meaning “manufacturers have assessed these airbags as being particularly unsafe”.
“A Takata airbag misdeployment can result in death or serious injury, even in a minor collision,” the statement read. “Under this urgent recall, drivers are entitled to have their vehicles towed to the dealership by the manufacturer and have the airbag replaced for free. Drivers may be entitled to a loan vehicle while the airbag is replaced.
“We encourage all drivers to check if their vehicle is affected, even if they have checked before, and to act immediately to have their airbag replaced.”
The car manufacturers affected are BMW, GM Holden, Honda, Mitsubishi and Toyota. Consumers can check whether their car is affected by visiting IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au, texting 0487 AIRBAG (247224) and following the prompts, the vehicle manufacturer, or ProductSafety.gov.au
Slow down and share the road
ACT Policing and the Emergency Services Agency are reminding drivers to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary or slow moving emergency services vehicles displaying a blue or red flashing light as part of the October road safety campaign.
Detective Acting Superintendent of Traffic Operations, Marcus Boorman, said the 40km/h speed limit has been adopted to ensure consistency, with the speed applying around other vulnerable road users such as in school zones and at road works.
“If the emergency vehicle is on the other side of a divided road, separated by a median strip, you do not need to slow down.”
ACT Policing has issued 10 Traffic Infringement Notices and 41 cautions for passing an emergency vehicle too fast since the new laws were introduced. The infringement notice penalty for this offence is $257 and two demerit points.
Community services strategy
The ACT Government has kicked off a nine-month process to develop a long-term strategy to guide how community services are delivered in the ACT.
The Strengthening Partnerships – Commissioning for Social Impact discussion paper is the first stage of the process which will set out a commissioning framework to guide how the government and community sector can continue to deliver fundamental services for Canberrans.
Minister for Community Services and Facilities, Suzanne Orr said the strategy will “allow us to provide better outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in the ACT, with the aim to transition government services and non-government contracts to a needs-based service delivery model”.
For more information, visit communityservices.act.gov.au/strengtheningpartnerships
Tuggeranong Parkway lane closures
Off-peak lane closures are planned on the Tuggeranong Parkway where it crosses the Molonglo River in coming weeks for bridge strengthening works.
The works are part of the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program andinclude the construction of four new concrete bridge piers beneath the existing bridge deck and strengthening of the existing piers.
Off-peak lane closures will occur on weekdays within the following dates: 8-16 October; 21-29 October and 18-29 November. One lane will remain open at all times with a reduced speed limit of 40km/h. All lanes will be open during peak hours.
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