**** TRANSPORTATION Media Release
Province Seeking Public Input for Second Phase of New Traffic Safety Act
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Government continues to seek public input on the Traffic Safety Act draft regulations.
As of today, Oct. 8, Nova Scotians can provide feedback on vehicle regulations, the second phase of the province’s draft regulations under the new Traffic Safety Act.
The proposed vehicle regulations are available online for public feedback.
The draft regulations are being released in phases, including regulations for drivers, vehicles, rules for using the road, and penalties and other administrative changes. Each phase allows 30 days for public input.
It is the first time Nova Scotia has made draft regulations of this magnitude available for public comment prior to proclamation.
The new Traffic Safety Act, replacing the Motor Vehicle Act, was passed in 2018. The new act will govern and regulate the registration and identification of motor vehicles and the use of provincial highways and roads. This includes driver licences, the registration and inspection of vehicles, traffic laws and equipment standards.
The vehicles regulations include:
— updating vehicle definitions such as three-wheeled vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles and farm machines
— aligning with federal standards for vehicle equipment (lights, brakes, wheels), maintenance and inspections (motor vehicle inspections, homemade vehicles, rebuilt vehicles)
— updating requirements for antique vehicles, school buses, modified and rebuilt vehicles
— changing insurance requirements
The act and regulations will take effect following the public review phase and once upgrades to the Registry of Motor Vehicles computer system are completed.
Nova Scotians can get more information and provide feedback by going to: http://novascotia.ca/traffic-safety-act-public-engagement/
The deadline for feedback on the vehicle regulations is Friday, Nov. 6.
Quick Facts:
— the Traffic Safety Act was passed unanimously in the fall of 2018 and will replace the Motor Vehicle Act, which was written in the early 1920s
— the act is designed as a framework, setting broad policy and regulatory authority to quickly address changing technologies and future road-safety needs
— since the last major revision in 1989, the Motor Vehicle Act has been amended more than 62 times
— the legislation, once in effect, will be more concise than the current Motor Vehicle Act, moving technical detail to regulation and allowing more flexibility and responsiveness to emerging issues
— the Traffic Safety Act reflects significant stakeholder engagement with 31 groups and 23 partners including Bicycle Nova Scotia, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Road Safety Advisory Committee, Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police and Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
— in September, the first phase of draft regulations, the drivers regulations, were released for public feedback. The deadline for feedback on that phase is Oct. 16
Additional Resources:
Bill 80 – The Traffic Safety Act: http://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/63rd_2nd/1st_read/b080.htm
