Rusty cars target of warrant rules tightening

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 623, 13 February 1996, Page 3

Rusty cars target of warrant rules tightening

Had more than the usual problems getting a warrant for your car lately? This could be because in the last three months the Land Transport Safety Authority has tightened up on their enforcement of the existing laws governing warrant of fitness inspections, following the fatal accident several years ago when a car that was held together by rivets disintegrated upon impact. In a bid to fall in line with safety standards adhered to by many other countries, cars with structural rust are unlikely to pass a warrant of fitness inspection. Vehicles involved in fatal accidents are likely to be inspected and if itis found that a garage issued a warrant to a car that was not up to standard, the garage could lose its licence. The loss of a licence could result in the closure of a garage as most people get the repairs for their vehicles done where they get their warrants of fitness. As a result of the tightening of standards, owners of older cars and some Japanese imports have been queuing up for the services of panel beaters, having to pay bills as much as $600 to have rust removed. No to tinted windows Non-factory tinted windows and the glazing over of safety glass has also been targeted by the LTSA. These are prohibited although the law does allow some exceptions for trucks, vans, and company cars. The AA says tinted windows have to go because it is important that drivers can see other drivers' body language and that night vision can be impaired. However, some believe that tinted windows have been targeted because drivers with tinted windows are successfully contesting speed camera fines on the grounds that the photograph taken by the speed camera does not show who was driving. People in the glazing business say tinted windows can be for perfectly legitimate reasons such as to protect upholstery, reduce driver fatigue from the sun and to hide valuable equipment.