AfMA Fleetdrive Issue 15 | Page 16

Due to these severe safety implications, TMR is attempting to contact all registered owners of alpha airbag vehicles via phone or email to inform them of their responsibility to have the defective airbag replaced, before issuing a Defect Notice. The Defect Notice will give the registered operator 21 days to have the defective airbag replaced, free of charge. Registered operators are urged not to drive the vehicle and to contact their manufacturer immediately to discuss how best to have the airbags replaced. If after 21 days the airbag has not been replaced, the vehicle’s registration will be cancelled. This is for the driver’s, vehicle occupants’ and road users’ safety. Western Australia The WA Department of Transport is assisting users by providing contact information for owners of affected vehicles who have not yet responded to recall notices. If you receive a letter from your vehicle’s manufacturer or retailer asking you to have your airbag replaced, do not delay in booking your free replacement. Drivers are also urged to check whether their vehicle is affected by visiting the Takata airbag recalls list on the Product Safety Australia website. 16 ISSUE 15 2018 / WWW.AFMA.NET.AU South Australia Owners of vehicles fitted with the most dangerous ‘alpha’ Takata airbag inflators have been unable to register their car in South Australia from November 1 of last year. The move is the first of its kind in Australia and will be enforced by the South Australian Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Motorists that do have concerns about the safety of their airbags are advised to head to www.IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au or to contact their dealer directly. When the website was launched on July 30, more than 19,500 alpha inflators were still fitted to Australian cars. Of that figure, 679 are in South Australia. Tasmania Failure for Tasmanian drivers to take immediate action on vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags is risking serious injury, death or registration suspension. Affected Takata airbags must be replaced however the ‘Alpha’ model has a much higher chance of misdeployment and poses a greater safety risk. If your vehicle is fitted with a Takata Alpha airbag do not drive the vehicle and contact your vehicle manufacturer immediately to have the airbag replaced.