Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure conducted its public review of Bill 14, An Act to Amend to the Motor Vehicles Act, on May 26th , 2009. The committee thanks the Minister
and his staff for presenting the bill to us.
The bill amends the Motor Vehicles Act. A new short-term permit is created and an application for a driver’s licence may now be based on a licence that has been expired for up to two years. Nurses are required to report medically unfit drivers in the same manner as required of a medical practitioner. A person is prohibited from operating a vehicle with obscured or damaged lights or reflective devices. And drivers are required to reduce their speed when close to emergency vehicles with flashing lights.
The registrar’s duties are clarified with respect to the disclosure of records. Drivers and employers are held liable for contraventions in the operation of commercial vehicles. The authority for a demerit point system is expanded.
Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole. This concludes the committee’s opening comments on Bill 14 and individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed.