Key relationships

18 November 2022

TACC has been proactive about motorist and road safety for years – and we’re not slowing down.

In this weekly column, I’ve been banging on about the ideas and initiatives that the automotive industry regards as key to making Tassie roads safer. I’ve had all sorts of feedback, some positive and some, well, not so much.

Either way – as a peak industry body, I believe TACC has a corporate and social responsibility to do what we can to make noise and promote safety on the road. 

One thing I find interesting is how broad our audience really is (the people who take note of commentary from the industry). 

That signifies a swing in consideration and gives me hope that our messages are getting through. We need motorists to understand important terms like ‘preventative maintenance’ and ‘roadworthiness’ – and what they mean in the context of road safety.

Tasmania has a high ratio of vehicles per population, and we all have different relationships with our cars.

For some, it’s the stable daily ride, while for others it’s years of work and investment which provide a huge sense of pride. We also have romantic collectors, sports enthusiasts, and ego boosters, and, unfortunately, for some people, their vehicle is where they call home in tough times.

Whichever category you fall into, we all need to look after our mode of transport. Cars are machines and don’t have feelings, but, like humans, they do have limitations and need to be looked after. 

Tasmania has the oldest fleet in the country (with the average vehicle age sitting at 13.3 years). So, the needs of your car should be recognised and maintained before they start to fail and cost you money – or worse, contribute to the cause of serious injury or death.

As featured in the Mercury Friday 18 November 2022