Call to get bombs off roads

www.abc.net
Posted Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:23am AEST
Updated 11 hours 49 minutes ago

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) is calling on the South Australian Government to improve road safety by making vehicle inspections compulsory.

New police data shows nearly 30,000 cars were defected on the state's roads during the past financial year, up about 7,000 on the previous year.

MTA executive director John Chapman says car defects are a major contributing factor to the state's road toll.

Mr Chapman says inspections at the time of sale would not be an expensive imposition for sellers.

"From our research, we think it could be done for around $100, it would depend on the level of inspection but we think there's plenty of capacity within this state to do it," he said.

"We don't think that that is an unfair burden, as long as it applies right across the board, dealers right through to private sellers."

Mr Chapman says the MTA will push for the Government to adopt the measure.

"We think that it might be time for us all to get around the table and work through this with the Motor Accident Commission, the Minister and indeed, police, and see if we can find a way forward in terms of getting these bombs off the road," he said.

Federal help

State Independent MP Bob Such says the Federal Government should provide financial incentives for people to get rid of their old cars.

He says in Canada, France, Germany and the UK the government pays people to upgrade vehicles which are more than 10 years old.

Mr Such says he has written to the Federal Treasurer and the Finance Minister suggesting Australia adopt a similar scheme to improve road safety.

"Germany is doing it, France is doing it, United Kingdom is doing it and it's worked brilliantly in those countries, and for the three reasons that if there's an accident, you're better off in a more modern car with more airbags and more modern design, you get less pollution and you also stimulate the automotive industry," he said.