Crash stats misrepresented in WoF change - AA

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Crash stats misrepresented in WoF change - AA

3News NZ

By 3 News online staff

A scrap is brewing between supporters of possible changes to the warrant of fitness system proposed by the Government and those who oppose it.

The Motor Trade Association has been running TV ads urging people to oppose the changes which would likely affect business for many mechanics, but the Automobile Association says opponents of the changes have been misrepresenting statistics.

“The data shows that there is no correlation between the frequency of test and road safety, the AA’s Mark Stockdale told Firstline this morning.

Mr Stockdale says differences between road and vehicle quality between New Zealand and other OECD countries are not as large as opponents to the change are arguing.

“The vehicle fleet in New Zealand today is much younger than it was 20 to 30 years ago,” he says.

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Comments

25/10/2012 12:49:21 p.m.

Daniel spearman wrote:

Biggest significance here in safety is....Tyres!!! they are the great divide between car and driver if they are bald or damaged or even just poor for the task, they will cause an accident its only a matter of time really hence why there are so mnay accidents in the rain which brings me to my point if vehicles are only checked annually and the tyre is board a line they have a longer life expectation, whereas if teh tyre is board aline over a 6 month period they dont carry the same risk level.

24/10/2012 4:05:29 p.m.

G.D.Malcolm wrote:

I started in the motor trade in 1949 and continue to follow design advancements. When people say to me, They don't make cars like they used too, I say thank goodness for that. Once a year WOF checks for post 1990 vehicles would get my vote.

17/10/2012 5:34:10 p.m.

Kelvin wrote:

As a driver for nearly 40 years only once have I ever had an accident that was caused by mechanical failure (not that I have had many!). On that occasion a brake hose burst, fortunately at low speed. The warrant was 3 weeks old. They are not worth the paper they are written on. Also a longer period simply shifts responsibility to where it should be - with the driver! If they aren't mechanical enough to know they can always get a warrant every 6 months if they wish! Certainly there is no evidence that Australia has more accidents caused by vehicles than we do - an no warrants! We all know it is the nut behind the wheel that counts!!

17/10/2012 3:25:42 p.m.

jan wrote:

I think it should stay the same. While the car I had was older and required the 6 month check, I would rather get it looked at and a fault found ASAP, because I never bothered to look at the tyres or if one headlight was out I usually left it until the warrent. So my car was sound which means aspects like the tyres and brakes came up to the safety required. Don't have it anymore because didn't take care of the engine ,duh. I would like to think the other cars on the road are safe as well. Don't tinker with the system when its fine.

17/10/2012 1:19:21 p.m.

Richard wrote:

What the other Richard said. Plus manufacturing practices have improved considerably since the ole rust buckets we got to drive from the 60's, 70's and 80's. MTA would be better off ensuring there members don't rip off the NZ public with shoddy work and inappropriate charges.

17/10/2012 12:48:53 p.m.

Rob wrote:

In Australia you don't even have to have a warrant check, ony get one when you sell a vehicle and it has to be up to standard at anytime if you get pulled over.
That would be even better.

17/10/2012 9:46:35 a.m.

Richard wrote:

It is disappointing to see Murphy selling his soul for MTA money. The MTA have a vested interest in maintaining the timewasting and expensive 6 monthly WOF checks. An annual test is frequent enough. What Murphy should be promoting is that all vehicles should have a WOF, be registered and insured! The ones involved in the crashes he misrepresents are often unregistered, uninsured and unwarranted. These are the vehicles we should be focussing on. Murph, do us all a favour, ignore the money and just be honest. Some of us used to believe in you.