10,000 vehicles need warrants retested: NZTA
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) clampdown on enforcement is spreading rapidly, with about 10,000 vehicles now recalled for warrant of fitness (WOF) checks and 74 enforcement actions under way.
Law firm Meredith Connell, which was put in charge of all NZTA compliance functions in late September, has now finished working through most of the 870 files it was asked to review.
Meredith Connell managing partner Steve Haszard headed the project. He said that, of the 160 most urgent cases, 74 had resulted in some form of compliance action over transport and vehicle inspection services and driver training. A further 19 needed further urgent investigation.
Hazard said that where there was a serious risk to land transport safety, legislation allowed for NZTA to insist that certifiers or transport businesses immediately cease operations.
Enforcement actions would continue on a rolling basis over the coming weeks, and details would be published on the agency’s webpage.
Problems with WOF standards were first publicly revealed last week, with a recall of almost 6000 cars after Dargaville Diesel Services and Westland Automotive and Tyre in Auckland had their authority to do WOFs suspended because of substandard inspections.
In the most recent announcement, NZTA said vehicle owners were being contacted following the suspension of inspectors associated with Orient Motors in Auckland (3494 vehicles), Te Aroha Automotive (613 vehicles) and AA North Shore (31 vehicles).
‘‘We’ve taken a very conservative approach and we’re writing to everyone who has a current WOF issued by the particular individual involved. We’re strongly encouraging them to take their vehicle and get it recertified, and NZTA will pick up the tab for that.’’
The number of affected vehicle owners now stands at about 10,000.
Proposals to revoke 47 licences mostly affected the trucking industry, ranging from small firms to those with large fleets.
They could continue operating until a final decision on revocation was mad, and Haszard said they had opted not to name those businesses while investigations were ongoing.
‘‘If and when we get to the point where we think the risk is sufficient that people should know, we will tell people, no question about that.’’
Four truck drivers were suspended immediately because of criminal convictions and one had a serious health issue.
Haszard said there was still a lot of work to do and it would likely take a few more months.
‘‘People can feel assured that the NZTA has shifted gears.’’