Extra safety centres open

The NZTA is making progress across its commercial-vehicle safety programme with six centres now operational.

The Taupo commercial-vehicle safety centre (CVSC) has opened, and there are access limitations for overlength loads entering and exiting the centre.

Operations at the Bombay CVSC are expected to start soon. From May 4, the NZTA was activating the weigh-in-motion scales and automatic number-plate recognition cameras leading to the centre.

A spokesman says: “This means we’ll be collecting information on passing vehicles, such as registration and certificate of fitness status, vehicle weight, road-user charge status and if a vehicle is travelling on the appropriate permit. This information may be used by NZTA compliance teams as part of investigations.”

Meanwhile, the Regulatory Systems (Transport) Amendment Bill is progressing through parliament. It includes four changes that impact the commercial-transport sector. These are:

• The director of land transport will need to approve new persons in control of a transport service.

• The director will be able to immediately suspend a transport service licence (TSL) for significant health and safety concerns.

• Transferring, leasing or assigning a TSL will carry a maximum fine of $30,000 for an individual and $100,000 for a company.

• The NZTA will be able to audit operators believed to be carrying out a transport service without a TSL.