W.O.F. extension plans worry motor industry

Press, 10 October 1984, Page 12

W.O.F. extension plans worry motor industry

PA Dunedin Ministry of Transport moves tb relax warrant of fitness inspections on cars and domestic trailers are 1 still strongly opposed by the automotive repairers’ division of the Motor Trade Association. Members reaffirmed their opposition at the division’s annual meeting in Dunedin. ’ “We know the Ministry is looking at relaxing warrant of fitness testing on cars from six months to a year,” said the chairman, Mr A. M. Garry, of Otago. “They claim research shows sixmonthly testing does not

correspondingly improve road safety. “But we argue the opposite. We feel relaxing testing to a yearly basis is an expensive way to test the research results.” he said. The Ministry of Transport is also looking to remove warrant of fitness requirements from domestic trailers weighing less than 750 kg, as part of an over-all package, he said. “Domestic trailers are not normally used very often maybe three or four times a year to take rubbish to the tip and they sit on the side

.of the road in between times. If six-monthly warrants are wiped, then rusting and other deteriorations could go unnoticed,” said Mr Garry. The division has no statistics on trailer accidents to _ support its assertions but will continue writing to the Ministry and a Parliamentary select committee now considering submissions. “Our members have been opposed to these ideas for some time now. We hope the change in Government will make a difference,” said Mr Garry.