Motor Vehicle Act Amendments
With regards to the Motor Vehicle Act amendments made on Nov 28 2006 and pleased, effective on and after February 1st, 2007. These amendments (80-925) specifically affected; the regulations respecting vehicle inspections, the affixing of inspection stickers, and brought forth new regulations respecting vehicle inspections made by the Minster of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.These amendments supposedly sought to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. However, the additional charges that consumers will incur to cover labour (primarily because of the mandatory wheel removal) will be far more significant than indicated by the government.
I am concerned that the general public has not been enlightened with the harsh reality of the higher standard put forth by the government and crippling costs associated with this extensive inspection. Having indicated that vehicles will not be allowed on the road again until changes are made is forcing these unsuspecting consumers to pay for the supposedly required repairs at the time of inspection or be made criminals of by leaving the inspection sight in the vehicle they arrived in. There is little to no option for the consumer to compare prices or labour costs after the inspection has been made.
Perhaps this government is not expecting uproar of frustrations from Nova Scotians, since these changes have been so quietly made and quietly implemented. But the government is undoubtedly aware of how greatly this affects Nova Scotians, particularly those in lower income families and those in rural areas.
Already it is the case that even Nova Scotians with newer vehicles are feeling the affects of these changes. Take an anonymous valley man for example. He took his seemingly brand new 2003 Chrysler in for what he thought to be a routine safety inspection. Upon arriving his validation sticker was promptly removed. After a long inspection he was informed that he would have to pay $2216 for new break lines before he could leave the premises.
I might also mention that this individual was not able to take his vehicle to its usual place of inspection. Many businesses are opting not to inspect vehicles this year as a result of the enhanced qualifications. George Melvin of Canning for example because of the increased accountability of station operators to ensure the quality of safety inspections. Along with the requirement for testers to undergo training for motor vehicle inspection before February 1st it simply does not prove time or cost-effective for many business operators. Another local businessman also said that he is straight out wary of the rage and frustration that vehicle owners will feel when it comes time to foot their bill.
Many rural Nova Scotians, such as those in the Cornwallis region of the Annapolis Valley, rely solely on their vehicles to transport them to and from work. For some communities there is very limited public transportation available, for many more communities there is none. It is frightening than to consider what options might be available for the many families who wont be able to financially afford to bring their vehicles up to this new par.
It is not an unfamiliar truth that this government doesn’t consider lower income families or rural Nova Scotians before it moves forward on legislation or legislative changes, regardless of how they frame the issues.
But it is frustrating when their disconcert has such rude and unexpected consequences for the people of this province.
