Transport Rules Reform Welcome, But Don't Forget Safety
The Motor Trade Association (MTA) supports the Government's focus on reforming transport rules for the benefit of the sector and the public.
However, MTA cautions that public safety must not be compromised by any changes.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced a work programme to increase productivity and efficiency through comprehensively reforming New Zealand's land transport rules.
MTA Head of Advocacy James McDowall says MTA has been actively involved as part of the core group of industry stakeholders engaging with the Minister and the Ministry of Transport on the work programme.
'Evaluation of measures that reflect and are fit for purpose for the modern fleet on our roads is timely,' Mr McDowall says.
'The advent of new technologies, particularly in regard to safety, means many vehicles on our roads are vastly different from those even just ten years ago.'
MTA believes the Warrant of Fitness (WoF) is overdue for review, both in terms of new and old vehicles. New vehicles have safety features that simply do not fit the current WoF inspection template, while at the other end of the scale, there are now 25-year-old vehicles which only need to undergo a Warrant of Fitness check once a year.
'This raises serious questions around safety, and it is appropriate that the review takes WoF frequency into account,' Mr McDowall says.
'Improving the role of digitalisation also reflects modern trends and overseas experience. Many New Zealanders travelling abroad remark on the lack of stickers on vehicle windscreens. It is time for that conversation here.'
Any overview of regulation that removes 'red tape' and improves efficiencies and processes is a win for both the transport sector and the traveller, MTA believes.
This initiative is a good example of how changes to rules – often overshadowed by major legislative reforms – can deliver meaningful benefits across the system.
'We're keen to see it progress, particularly given that MTA members carry out the majority of WoF inspections across New Zealand,' Mr McDowall says.
'We welcome the opportunity to continue working with the Government to update and simplify transport rules and regulations.'
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