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Transport Canada's reasoning for the propsed change from 15-year rule to 25-year rule
The following information is the basis for Transport Canada claim that the 15-year ruling for importation should be changed.
Lets give this information a closer look:
The problem that arises is unless you actually tears into the meat of the paper it almost sounds logical and this is what TC is hoping will happen when it gets submitted to the ministers approval.
Paragraph (4):
TC is also concentrating on poorly maintained units which as any importer knows is not the case, ALL units imported to Canada must pass strict inspections prior to registration in it’s own province.
Paragraph (5):
TC admits that it is mainly driver habits that cause the accidents for ALL years of units reviewed, not mechanical fault.
Paragraph (7):
This paragraph actually made me laugh out loud, the audacity of TC to actually write such a paragraph is stunning to say the least.
80 units “involved” in accidents out of 25,550 units imported, what is of note here is that TC never claimed they caused the accidents but were involved in them. How does this create a basis that they are unsafe? One fatality, one severe injury but not once does TC admit that the cause of the accident was the fault of the imported unit.
Three units had mechanical failure, 3 out of 25,550 units imported. Astonishing? Yes. Astonishing that is all they found to base this on. Who’s eyes are they trying to pull the wool over?
Paragraph (8):
It is amazing that TC would state that “casualty rates upward” increase with the increased importation of units. Upward an from 1 out of 25,550 unit, which is negligible to begin with, of course an increase could happen but it will not be proportional to the rates of fatalities of any other year of units. Once again they did not state that the fatality was the result of the imported unit involved in the accident, or driver error or the fault of the non-imported unit involved in the accident. TC is trying to base a change on faulty findings.
The US has always had a 25- ear ruling to protect the “Big 3” profits.
The research that was done in preparation of this page is faulty in respects the Australian importation rulings:
Australia
For a while, cars over 15 years old could be imported, and only needed to gain a roadworthy certificate (needed for registration transfer in many states anyway), but this has been changed to vehicles only made prior to 1st January 1989.
Also (not mentioned on this page), cars newer than 1st January 1989 can still be imported and register in Australia as it was before. They have to pass by a process similar to the SVA in UK, called Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS):
http://www.dotars.gov.au/roads/motor/sevs/index.aspx
Page(2):
It seems according to their own figures that ALL 15 year old domestic cars should be going through a rigorous inspection program similar to the imported units…
Page (3):
TC admits by statistics that domestic units as early as 9 years old have frequent collisions and accidents involving mechanical problems… this ask the question why is TC not insisting on a inspection of these units and why are they confusing imported 15 year old units with domestic units which are more poorly maintained than the imported units in general?
TC should be much more concerned with domestic units than the imported units that must pass the inspection at time of registering.
Page(4):
Personally I am curious as to why this page was even included in the report since it is pointing out that DRIVER ERROR is the main reason for accidents and not mechanical problems. This page encouraged me, it really refutes TC claim that 15-year-old units are a concern.
Page (5):
Seat belts are mandatory in the country of Canada.
Page (6):
This page shows how safe an imported unit under the 15-year ruling actually is:
It is interesting that the drivers of an imported 15-year rule are:
-Less prone to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
-Less prone to drive with expired or no license
-On par with the national average for wearing seat belts
-That the drivers are the main problem with the imported units under the age of 23. Driver error is a serious problem whether domestic units or imported units, this has been the case since the beginning of recorded statistics. Inexperience is the main problem with this age group irrelevant of the unit they are controlling. To base a change in the importation laws due to this is misleading.
What is really interesting:
-Interesting is vehicle condition report. For an imported unit to be registered in Canada it must pass a strict inspection, what this is telling me is there are units that are being passed that do not meet inspection guidelines. TC should enforce proper inspections be applied and these types of inspections are common even with Domestic units all over Canada. The shady inspections submitted will always be a problem but this problem will not disappear with the changing of the 15-year rule to a 25-year rule. This problem will only disappear with firmer enforcement of the inspection procedure.
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