Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, Members of the committee, we are here today to consider some small but important amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act.
The first set of amendments has to do with repealing the few exemptions in the act to wearing a seat belt. The Legislative Assembly made the wearing of seat belts mandatory in the Northwest Territories in 1988. Twelve years ago, the requirement for everyone riding in a car or a truck to wear a seatbelt was controversial and these few exemptions were included at the time. The evidence that seat belts prevented injuries and saved lives was compelling in 1988, and it is even more so today. There is no good reason for anyone not to wear a seatbelt when riding in a car or a truck and there is no good reason to keep these exemptions in the act.
The second set of amendments gives municipalities by-law making authority to regulate the use of bicycles, skateboards, sleds, skis, skates and in-line skates on community streets and roads. Rather than try to regulate bicycles and skateboards uniformly across the Territory under the act, the by-law approach allows communities to regulate them according to local conditions and sensibilities. I think letting communities decide for themselves how to regulate bicycles and skateboards is the best approach.
Mr. Chairman, these two small sets of amendments will make the Motor Vehicles Act a better Act. I hope the Members will agree and give their approval. Thank you.