Private companies may do random WoF checks

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Private companies may do WoF checks

3News NZ

Police or private companies would pull over cars at random and check their roadworthiness, including brakes, lights and tyre tread (file pic)

Police or private companies would pull over cars at random and check their roadworthiness, including brakes, lights and tyre tread (file pic)

By Jessica Rowe

The Government is looking at bringing in private companies to carry out random roadside vehicle inspections.

It has been floated as part of the Ministry of Transport's push to reduce the number of warrant of fitness tests. But the Labour Party says it could cost lives and millions of dollars.

Motorists get a warrant of fitness twice a year, but now the Government's looking at changing that to once a year.

Instead, contract private companies might be brought in to carry out random roadside inspections.

“As I understand it, that’s what they do in Queensland with very good real success,” says Associate Transport Minister Simon Bridges. “But that’s simply one idea. But my entire approach is not to rule in or rule out.”

It's one of the ideas being considered by the Government in a massive shakeup of the vehicle licensing system.

Police or private companies would pull over cars at random and check their roadworthiness, including brakes, lights and tyre tread.

But Labour says this would come at a serious cost to the Government.

Two-point-five percent of crashes are caused by vehicle defects, and one commentator believes the Government's plan is another example of privatisation and deregulation by stealth.

“The country is somehow going to have to come up with 10s of 100s of millions of extra dollars in order to pay for private police to randomly pull you over at the side of the road even though your car is completely legal,” says Clive Matthew-Wilson, editor of Dog and Lemon Guide. “To repeat the process of issuing a warrant of fitness, this is madness.”

In its new proposal, the Government says we will save between $60 and $245 million a year.

“That would be in fewer inspections, so if you went six months to one year, you are in sort of a $50 to $70 million mark,” says Mr Bridges. “If you did what in most of Australia [does] and you only had an inspection upon sale of vehicle, you could get up to $245 million mark.”

Labour says that's unrealistic if you factor in the additional cost of roadside enforcement.

A final decision about what changes will be adopted is due at the end of the year.

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Comments

5/11/2012 6:08:59 p.m.

BAZRAZ wrote:

This is the start of the SERCO = G4S take over. They have taken over most government departments in England and Aust with disastrous results. Watch out NZ you are next

3/11/2012 11:41:13 a.m.

the DR wrote:

and what will they check for on the road side a wind screen chip or even a park light that dose not work a tiny rust bubble just under the wind screen what a total joke this will not help with road safety at all a dumb idea from dumb people why do you all jump to the conclusion our cars are so unsafe you have been lied to by the mta end of story

2/11/2012 7:21:53 p.m.

fmacskasy.wordpress.com/ wrote:

This has to be one of National's dumbest ideas yet... and they certainly have a truckload of them! Someone please give Simon Bridges some real work to do!!

31/10/2012 6:48:32 p.m.

Richard wrote:

Police don't have the technical knowledge to comment and the MTA have a vested interest in the current arrangement. If a car isn't safe for two years or 50000km, it's simply not safe. Only a degree qualified mechanical engineer with the appropriate test equipment could make this kind of assessment, as they do in Germany and Japan, where most of our cars come from. Drivers are supposed to look after basic maintenance on their cars. To not do so is to violate your responsibility as a driver.

31/10/2012 8:47:01 a.m.

Matt wrote:

Cowboys stopping cars on the side of the road..the camels back is about to break.

30/10/2012 6:40:01 p.m.

Robert wrote:

A plea to Simon Bridges - please never let private companies get involved with the roadside testing of WOFs on motor vehicles. There is only one department in NZ which is qualified to check any motor vehicle of any type on the road and that is the NZ Police Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit. This unit of the police force do a fantastic job but there is only one problem, there is nowhere near enough of them.

29/10/2012 10:06:07 a.m.

dave wrote:

wrong wrong wrong. once private companies get involved it will be more about money than safety. Dont change what ain't broke. there should only be a registration required. The warrant should be included in that process. One sticker. that would save money.

29/10/2012 9:28:52 a.m.

nigel wrote:

It will just lead to the harassment of poor people in old cars.

29/10/2012 8:26:01 a.m.

jan wrote:

I get into a car and drive it. Don't look at its tyres, lights etc. The WOF at 6 months or a year is great. I don't mind having to pay someone to bring to my attention when something vital needs fixing, otherwise I wouldn't know or care. The government saying it will save money is a crock, because what they give with one hand they take back with two. They get GST on WOFS, where are they going to get this loss of revenue from?. Example- more fuel efficiant cars means less petrol sold = less tax from fuel, so the price of petrol (acually the tax) goes up and revenue stays the same or increases. Keep the WOF the same. Random pull over people is ridiculous.

29/10/2012 1:52:36 a.m.

J wrote:

Never mind the warrant of fitness on cars; what about the warrant of fitness on the person pulling over cars? What safety is guaranteed for young women pulled over by who knows what given the gangs are already trying to infiltrate the police? Also, I knew as soon as National/Act got in they would cut taxes to give money to the rich that didn't pay taxes originally and then start fleecing people by other means - raising GST, increasing road fines, and now the risk of dodgy privateers forcing people to pull over with agendas other than whether your car is safe. Hope everyone watched Sleeping Dogs aka Smith's Dream on Maori TV tonight. Volkner is rising.