Winter safety warning to motorists
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is marking 25 years of the National Car Test (NCT) by urging motorists to get winter-ready, writes Brian Byrne. With colder, wetter weather on the way, keeping vehicles roadworthy is vital for safety.
Since 2000, approximately 26 million full NCT tests have been carried out. Last year, the NCT completed 1.7million full NCT tests which is the highest in the services history.
Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer at RSA, says winter poses additional risks on Irish roads, and poorly maintained vehicles can be more susceptible to breakdowns or collisions in challenging conditions. "We are urging all motorists across Ireland to prepare their vehicles and carry out regular car maintenance checks," he says. "This includes checking tyres and lights regularly, keeping fluids topped up and windows clean for optimum visibility and ensuring you book in your yearly vehicle service."
The most common reasons cars fail the NCT include worn tyres, faulty brake lines, seatbelt and exhaust system conditions, as well as defective suspension. Many of these issues can be prevented with regular servicing.
