Deaths fear over MOT test change
A SIX-MONTH exemption from MOT testing for vehicle owners in Britain could lead to more deaths on the roads, peers have warned.
The Department for Transport granted the exemption to all cars, vans and motorcycles from March 30 due to the coronavirus lockdown.
But peers have warned it could lead to more accidents as defects which would have been picked up in an MOT test go undetected.
Opposition spokesman Lord Rosser said there must be “potential safety issues” in allowing vehicles that would not pass their next test to remain on the road for a further six months.
Transport minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton defended the regulations, saying the aim was to reduce the risk of people being exposed to Covid-19, and helping them comply with the stay at home guidance.
She said the timescale had been set to cover the extent of the outbreak, including a “grace period” to allow the testing industry to recover.
Despite peers’ concerns, the Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 were approved without a vote.
Joshua Reeves, 23, is a disability rights campaigner living in Cardiff who says his whole life has been affected by the lockdown.
Joshua has cerebral palsy and started his campaign, Don’t Call Me Special, in late 2013 to share his message that disability doesn’t define him.
As part of the campaign, he often visits primary schools in Wales, but has also taken it further afield. Until the lockdown started.
“I am finding things very difficult because of lockdown,” he said.
“I am active and go to a lot of different conferences and events as part of my campaigning. With that being my main role, it has been completely affected.
“I am getting bored and frustrated and especially with this lockdown going on and the impact it is having on my mental health.”
He added: “When it comes to getting out and my day to day life without lockdown, I am very independent. I go out whenever I want. I meet up with friends and go to the pub a lot.
“I live in a residential home with five other disabled people and I have a support worker coming in and out to help me.
“I love rock music and often go to Fuel Rock Club in Cardiff. They are doing live streams, so you can have a drink at home and watch them.
“I also use Zoom to have a video call with my family once a week, we play different games each week to mix it up, which is fun.”
Through charity Leonard Cheshire, Joshua has blogged about his self-isolation and has interviewed some of his role models, such as Judy Heumann from Netflix documentary Crip Camp.
He said not only has this helped him to express what he’s going through, he is able to help others too.
But the pandemic has made him worry about catching the virus and spreading it to others he lives with. Because of this, he is being extra cautious.
He said: “I’m making sure I don’t go out in the community, I don’t want to risk catching the virus. I don’t class myself as vulnerable because I haven’t received a letter and my immune system isn’t weak.
“However, I don’t want to catch it and then pass it on to those I live with, who may have more complex needs.
I’m more worried about other people than myself.
“I usually do my own shopping too – I tend to go every day to pick up a few items. But with lockdown, I’m having to rely on ordering food online once a week, but it has been a struggle finding available slots. But luckily my parents can drop off food if I needed them to.”
However, the pandemic hasn’t just caused him to worry about catching the virus.
“I’m also worried if my wheelchair breaks down, I have no idea if anyone will be able to come to my house to fix it,” he said.
Nic Kinnaird, 45, lives in Cardiff. In 2013, she had a stroke, which weakened the right side of her body.
She has recently completed a BA in educational psychology and special educational needs and is working towards a PGCE. She wants to promote the message: “Just because I am disabled, it doesn’t mean I can’t progress in life. I just have to have a positive outlook.”
She has a carer who comes in her house three times a day, which has continued during lockdown, and lives with her husband David, 49, and their two sons, Logan, 14, and Duncan, 17.
Nic said she is classed as being in the vulnerable group during the pandemic due to underlying health conditions so is doing her best to keep herself and her family well.
“My older son is doing a building