15 October 2018

The decision by NZTA to review its compliance files and toughen up its enforcement is necessary to restore confidence in the Agency’s compliance functions says Road Transport Forum CEO Ken Shirley.

“A number of failures have been exposed in NZTA’s compliance regime in recent times and each one of those results in a loss of confidence from road transport operators and the general public in the Agency’s ability to carry out its core functions,” says Shirley.

“The issues we have seen with heavy vehicle certifiers were extremely disappointing and had a major impact on many road transport operators whose vehicles were forced off the road through no fault of their own. It also dented public confidence that the heavy vehicles they shared the road with were as safe as they could possibly be.”

“Fair and thorough compliance and enforcement are fundamental to maintaining a safe, efficient and fair regulatory environment. We simply cannot condone a system where the compliant are subsidising the non-compliant or where corners are cut and safety is therefore compromised.”

RTF is pleased that the Agency has admitted its deficiencies in this area as that is the first step in the necessary overhaul of its compliance and enforcement functions.

“Road transport is an extremely competitive industry with very tight margins and heavily relies on strict compliance to make sure that everyone competes on a level playing field. RTF and our associations remain committed to working with the Agency to help design the best and fairest regulatory compliance regime possible,” says Shirley.

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