Victoria, B.C.-  The Province will introduce measures to make sure private and commercial vehicles on the road are safe.

 

"Safety is our ministry's top priority” says Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Shirley Bond, “whether it's designing highways or ensuring vehicles on the road are safe, we're always looking to improve on our practices, and so we're bringing in additional tools to strengthen the regulations already in place."

 

Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act will allow the ministry to:

* Increase compliance through stronger audit powers, including having direct access to inspection facilities to conduct ministry-led vehicle inspections.

* Simplify and strengthen the ability to cancel the designation of a facility or inspector to conduct mechanical or structural integrity vehicle inspections under the provincial program.

* Improve monitoring to closely track and scrutinize inspection facility owners and directors, as well as individual inspectors.

* Impose additional conditions on inspection facilities and inspectors, including training, testing and re-certification.

 

"BC Trucking Association has long advocated for swift, certain and severe penalties for companies and individuals that shirk their safety responsibilities," said B.C. TA president and CEO Paul Landry. "This helps to level the playing field for conscientious facilities and inspectors who refuse to cut corners and who maintain high safety standards."

 

"These changes are great news for all motorists. Drivers face enough hazards without also having to drive or encounter a vehicle that is not roadworthy," said BCAA director of corporate communications Trace Acres.

"Inspection facilities and vehicle inspectors play a vital role in ensuring the safety of commercial and private vehicles, and should adhere to the highest standards."

 

"We are confident the vast majority of inspectors and inspection facilities are reputable and do very good work," said Bond. "But for those operations and individuals who choose not to comply, this legislation will strengthen our enforcement tools and ensure they will not continue to operate in British Columbia."