According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, 14.1 % of road crashes in South Africa are caused by factors “associated with the mechanics of the vehicles involved”. The State of Road Safety Report revealed that 420 fatal road accidents in a single year resulted from mechanical failures.

Some of the top mechanical failures causing vehicle accidents include faulty brakes, tyre issues and steering defects. Other common mechanical failures that could lead to road accidents are car engine parts. While some recalls make headlines due to their scale and impact, others happen quietly, often without the owner’s awareness.

Safety Recalls are mandated by law and involve defects that could lead to losing control over a moving vehicle or potentially harming occupants and other road users. Manufacturers are encouraged to issue safety recalls voluntarily in South Africa, but the National Consumer Commission (NCC) can also step in if necessary. Affected vehicle owners receive notifications, and arrangements are made for repair work.

While global recall events have decreased, South Africa has seen an increase in affected units. This highlights the need for proactive solutions to prevent costly recalls; in this blog post, we discuss the importance of having machine vision systems in place to ensure that brake valve components and brake pads work correctly when needed in a vehicle.

Manufacturers face the challenge of maintaining high-quality standards while producing brake valve components. These components are crucial for safe braking systems, and any defects can lead to recalls and compromised safety. Assemblies might have missing, loose, or damaged parts, and manual inspectors often struggle to identify all defects, especially given strict safety quality standards.

Over the next few weeks, we will advise you of available machine vision solutions to ensure quality and minimise defects in vehicle safety systems. Stay tuned for more insights on this topic!