Everyone has a responsibility when it comes to road safety.
The following categories provide an overview of areas motorists should pay attention too.

Servicing Your Car

Your car is an asset. Servicing your car on a regular basis, can not only save you money by preventing the need for major repairs but when you do go to sell or trade in your car, its value will have been maintained. A regular maintenance routine will go a long way towards extending the life of your car and assure your vehicle’s roadworthiness for years to come.

General Checks you should do

• Oil Level
  
• Tyre Pressure
  
• Coolant Level
  
• Washer Bottle Level
  
• Lights (ensure all bulbs are working)

The National Car Test (NCT) was first introduced in 2000.
The NCT is a compulsory vehicle inspection programme in Ireland. The primary aim of this programme which falls under the directive 2009/40/EC, is to improve road safety and enhance environmental protection by reducing harmful vehicles emissions in Ireland.
Applus+ is the company responsible for testing.

An NCT Certificate confirms that the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at the time the test.
0-3 years no test required
4-9 years every two years
10 years plus (10th anniversary) annually, from June 2011
Further info on NCT click here

Are they fitted correctly?

The RSA are currently running a campaign 'Check it Fits' Service which aims to save lives by ensuring that child seats are properly fitted in cars. The ‘Check it Fits’ team help parents and guardians to correctly fit their child car seats. The service which is free of charge will be travelling all over Ireland.

3 out of 4 child car seats are incorrectly fitted in cars and an incorrectly fitted child car seat could lead to serious injury or death in the event of a collision.

Do you know?

• Children under 3 years of age must not travel in a car or goods vehicle (other than a taxi) unless restrained in the correct child seat
  
• Children aged 3 yrs or over who are under 150cms in height and weighing less than 36 kilograms (i.e. generally children up to 11/12 yrs old) must use the correct child seat, booster seat or booster cushion when travelling in cars or goods vehicles
  
• Children over 3 yrs of age must travel in a rear seat in vehicles not fitted with safety belts rearward-facing child car seats must NEVER be used in the front passenger seat of cars with an active airbag
  
• Child car seats must be in accordance with EU or United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) standards
  
• Drivers have a legal responsibility to ensure passengers aged under 17 use the correct seat, booster seat, booster cushion or seatbelt

Members within the SIMI are helping to raise standards within our Industry.

• Staff Qualifications
• Repair Systems & Specifications
• Equipment and Parts
• Repairer's Insurance Cover
• SIMI Complaints Service

To find your nearest CSS Repairer click here

Commercial Vehicles over one year old are tested annually and must pass a Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT).
The reason commercial vehicles are tested is to insure that they are roadworth, its the law and a vehicle can not be taxed without the CVRT cert.

There are two types of commercial vehicle tests, one for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) and one for Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs).

Many of our members are HGV and LGV Commercial Vehicle Tester Centres. For further details on Commerical testing and how it works click here

SIMI's Autosure Professional Register was developed to promote driver awareness as to the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and to highlight the benefits and peace of mind that comes from servicing your vehicle with an SIMI member garage.

These guidelines aim to promote awareness of the necessity to service your car. Your car is an asset. Servicing your car on a regular basis, can not only save you money by preventing the need for major repairs but when you do go to sell or trade in your car, its value will have been maintained. A regular maintenance routine will go a long way towards extending the life of your car and assure your vehicle’s roadworthiness for years to come.
For more information click here