Who regulates what

While the ACCC looks after safety standards for vehicle recovery straps, we don't manage road vehicle safety for cars, motorbikes, caravans and trailers.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts oversees the safety standards and recall of road vehicles and their approved components. Learn more on the Vehicle recalls website.

Injury hazard type

Bone fracture or break
Bruising
Crushing
Internal injury

On this page

About motor vehicle recovery straps

Motor vehicle recovery straps are also called snatch straps. They are heavy duty elasticised straps that connect 2 vehicles and help to pull a vehicle when it’s bogged.

The straps stretch and release energy under tension to achieve a sharp, jerking action. They use the momentum of the towing vehicle to pull the bogged vehicle out.

Risks and injuries from the product

The elasticity of the recovery strap combined with the weight being towed can mean serious injury or death if the strap is used incorrectly.

Serious injuries and deaths have resulted from using vehicle recovery straps.

Things to look for when buying the product

Serious injuries and deaths have happened to people using motor vehicle recovery straps. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.

    Only buy and use a motor vehicle recovery strap that complies with the recovery straps for motor vehicles mandatory standard.

    The mandatory standard doesn’t apply to vehicle lifting slings, tie-down straps, wire cable, chain, rope or straps for conventional towing situations.

    Design and construction

    • Select the correct recovery strap relative to the vehicle's gross vehicle mass (GVM). It’s recommended that the minimum breaking strength of the strap is between 2 and 3 times the vehicle's GVM.
    • Check that the strap you select is suited to the lighter vehicle’s GVM that’s used in the vehicle recovery process.

    Marks and labels

    • The motor vehicle recovery strap has a permanent warning mark.
    • The strap includes instructions for safe use and maintenance and packaging information.

    Motor vehicle recovery straps must be permanently marked with this warning:

    WARNING. Incorrect use may result in injury or death. An example of the recovery straps for motor vehicles warning label.

    How to use the product safely

    • Follow the instructions provided with the motor vehicle recovery strap.
    • Consider completing a nationally recognised 4-wheel drive training course. Or you can contact a 4-wheel drive club for advice on selecting and using recovery straps.
    • Check that the recovery strap is not damaged or worn before use. Be aware that the strap’s strength and stretch reduce when wet.
    • Only use the recovery strap with proper robust recovery points. The force of the strap is likely to break or snap off normal attachment points such as tie-down eyes, tow balls, towbars, tow hooks, bull bars and suspension components.
    • Drape a recovery damper, heavy bag or blanket over the recovery strap during use to avoid rebound.
    • Passengers should leave the vehicles and stay at a safe distance from both vehicles during the recovery process. This should be at least 1.5 times the length of the un-stretched strap. Bystanders should never stand in the path of either vehicle.
    • Don’t use the recovery strap for lifting or conventional towing.

    Next steps if a product is unsafe

    When buying a product, consumers have the right to expect the product is of acceptable quality. 

    Acceptable quality includes that the product is safe, durable and free from defects.

    If you bought a product that doesn’t comply with the mandatory standard or is unsafe, you can report it to us.

    Report an unsafe product

    If a person is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

    See also

    Recovery straps for motor vehicles mandatory standard