Three Fairfield County residents have teamed up to create a business that promotes safety on the roads.
Mathew Hannon of New Canaan, James Schanck of Fairfield and Larry Merriam of Easton recently founded the Auto Safety Association of Connecticut and a website called AutoSafetyNow.org.
“Many of the accidents that happen on our roads are totally preventable,” said Hannon. “They occur because of operator error, unsafe driving and vehicle defects. We want to do our part to raise public awareness, prevent accidents and save lives or prevent injuries.”
All three founders have professional experience in dealing with consumer safety. Hannon owns and operates several manufacturing companies in the U.S. and Canada that make extruded steel products mainly for the furniture industry. Schanck has had a career in advertising and has provided services for major auto manufacturers and new car dealerships. Merriam is a retired auto dealership owner who has owned 10 different new car dealerships in New York and Connecticut.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 25 percent of all motor vehicles on the road have uncompleted safety recalls.
“Simple recalls alone pose a significant danger to vehicle owners, passengers and others sharing our roads,” said Hannon.
Area car dealerships have begun to join the association and have pledged to offer motorists a free vehicle recall check and a free vehicle safety inspection. The association has 36 automobile brands represented through multiple dealers throughout the state.
“The dealerships have joined us to demonstrate their commitment to public safety and customer relations,” said Hannon.
Members pay a quarterly fee of $2,500. In order to qualify for membership a dealership must have a clean and modern facility, factory trained technicians and the latest in computerized diagnostic equipment, as well as an above-average customer relations index. Each dealership has appointed a safety coordinator to act as an Auto Safety Association of Connecticut representative.
The AutoSafetyNow.org website allows motorists to find their specific vehicle brand and request an appointment at a member dealership to have these recall diagnostics performed free of charge.
Generally there is no charge for either parts or labor to perform the work needed to correct recalls as long as the vehicle is not more than 10 years old.
