September 30, 1996
(Government Services and Lands)

The provincial government will not reinstate mandatory inspections on an annual basis for cars, light vans and trucks.

The announcement was made today by Government Services and Lands Minister, Ernest McLean who said inspections of cars, light vans and trucks will be required only at the time of transfer of ownership following a sale.

Mr. McLean said the decision not to reinstate mandatory inspections follows a thorough study which determined that "there is no conclusive evidence to support a reinstatement of the program."

Mandatory inspections were discontinued effective November 16, 1994.

The minister said government will continue to monitor the inspections program and also stated that the Motor Registration Division will undertake, in conjunction with stakeholders, a thorough review of the current inspections manual.

Commercial vehicles and taxis will continue to require inspections after reaching one model year of age and thereafter, and school and public buses will require inspections every six months.

Mr. McLean said statistics could not prove or disprove that inspections increase or decrease accidents. As well, studies in other jurisdictions show that accidents and insurance rates did not increase or decrease with the abolition of mandatory inspections.

He also noted that of the 12 jurisdictions in Canada, only the three Maritime Provinces have mandatory inspections for cars, light trucks and vans.

Mr. McLean said the factors which led to the discontinuance of the mandatory inspection program still hold true. Some factors are:

• those who bypass the system will continue to find ways around it;
• motorists are responsible and will continue to maintain their vehicles without waiting for an annual inspection to make the necessary repairs;
• according to Transport Canada, only one per cent of accidents are attributable directly to mechanical defects;
• provincial accident statistics show no correlation between accidents and inspections;
• many facilities issue certificates without inspecting the vehicles;
• mandatory inspections on an annual basis result in considerably higher costs for consumers;
• effective enforcement (considering the large number of facilities) is difficult;
• only Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick require inspections;
• highway enforcement and roadside inspections are effective in identifying defective vehicles;
• major studies undertaken in other jurisdictions are unable to demonstrate value for inspections.

As indicated, a study was undertaken to help government determine if it should reinstate mandatory inspections. It was conducted by the Motor Registration Division of the Department of Government Services and Lands. Participants included the Canada and Newfoundland Safety Councils, highway enforcement officers, weigh scale inspectors, the RCMP and RNC, automobile dealers and official inspection station personnel; representatives of the insurance industry; the National Safety Code Office and automobile parts suppliers. It included opinion polls conducted with the general public, news articles and editorials written on the matter. As well, statistical data on accidents and roadside inspections were analyzed.

Contact: Gary Callahan, Director of Communications, 729-3142.