An association that represents over 3,000 auto dealers across Canada is calling on the federal government to close a loophole that allows “dirty and unsafe” right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles into the country.
“Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of right-hand vehicles in Canada.” Richard Gauthier, president and CEO of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), said in a release.
“These vehicles are imported under a regulatory loophole that allows vehicles older than 15 years of age to enter the country without complying with the Canadian motor vehicle standards or national environmental standards.”
To allow the importation of antique and other “collector” cars, legislation allows vehicles older than 15 years to arrive in Canada exempt from Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
“A 15-year-old car is no longer an antique. The vast majority of cars today reach their 15th birthday and beyond,” Gauthier said, adding that RHDs “are often used for street racing and other reckless acts.”
A 2007 study by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia showed that RHDs are 40 percent more likely to be involved in an accident. Canadian roads are geared toward left-hand-drive vehicles.
Last month in Ottawa, the parents of three young children died after being hit by a right-hand-drive car while waiting for a bus. The driver faces several charges including dangerous driving, stunt racing, and criminal negligence causing death.
To stem the current market for RHD imports, CADA wants the government to change the antique designation to 25 years to reflect regulations in place in the United States.
“This is a very simple fix for the federal government and would bring us into line with our trading partners,” said Gauthier.
While Transport Canada is considering such a move, as a federal law it would require cooperation from all provinces. Quebec and Prince Edward Island have already enacted legislation to ban RHD vehicles on their roads.
Safety and environmental/emissions programs such as Scrap-it, intended to remove older vehicles from the roads, are contravened by the current import regulation policy.
According to the BC Automobile Association, since around 2005 an increasing number of surplus low-cost, low-mileage RHD Japanese vehicles have been showing up in Canada, and several companies are promoting the option of buying a used car in Japan via auction and shipping it to Canada.
“Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of right-hand vehicles in Canada.” Richard Gauthier, president and CEO of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), said in a release.
“These vehicles are imported under a regulatory loophole that allows vehicles older than 15 years of age to enter the country without complying with the Canadian motor vehicle standards or national environmental standards.”
To allow the importation of antique and other “collector” cars, legislation allows vehicles older than 15 years to arrive in Canada exempt from Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
“A 15-year-old car is no longer an antique. The vast majority of cars today reach their 15th birthday and beyond,” Gauthier said, adding that RHDs “are often used for street racing and other reckless acts.”
A 2007 study by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia showed that RHDs are 40 percent more likely to be involved in an accident. Canadian roads are geared toward left-hand-drive vehicles.
Last month in Ottawa, the parents of three young children died after being hit by a right-hand-drive car while waiting for a bus. The driver faces several charges including dangerous driving, stunt racing, and criminal negligence causing death.
To stem the current market for RHD imports, CADA wants the government to change the antique designation to 25 years to reflect regulations in place in the United States.
“This is a very simple fix for the federal government and would bring us into line with our trading partners,” said Gauthier.
While Transport Canada is considering such a move, as a federal law it would require cooperation from all provinces. Quebec and Prince Edward Island have already enacted legislation to ban RHD vehicles on their roads.
Safety and environmental/emissions programs such as Scrap-it, intended to remove older vehicles from the roads, are contravened by the current import regulation policy.
According to the BC Automobile Association, since around 2005 an increasing number of surplus low-cost, low-mileage RHD Japanese vehicles have been showing up in Canada, and several companies are promoting the option of buying a used car in Japan via auction and shipping it to Canada.
