Proposed changes to motor vehicle act will improve road safety

The BC government is introducing a new bill aimed at improving road safety for all users and supporting active transportation.

Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure, said in a media release the new legislation would make sure drivers take caution around densely populated areas.

“The legislation requires drivers to use appropriate care around pedestrians and cyclists,” he says. “IT also supports enforcement of regulations, and sets a strong foundation for testing and evaluating new technology and policies.”

According to the release, the changes are part of the government’s Clean Transportation Action Plan, which will be released later this year, enabling more modes of transportation in the hopes of shifting more people away from cars.

The release states the plan is a roadmap to reduce emissions by increasing the sharing of trips made by active transportation to 30 per cent which will decrease greenhouse gas emissions, in transportation, by 27 to 32 per cent. 

Minister of environment and climate change George Heyman says the province has to address the emissions given off by vehicles if the province is going to benefit from a cleaner, greener environment in the future. 

“These amendments will create a safer environment for all road users,” Heyman says. “Transportation accounts for 40 per cent of our annual greenhouse gas emissions. 

“Reducing these emissions will have a wide range of benefits, from cleaner air and less congestion to better health and walkable, accessible communities.”

According to the release, the new bill proposes amendments including establishing a new vulnerable road-user framework that requires drivers to take proper precautions when pedestrians and cyclists are using a roadway. 

The legislation would also enable the province to regulate automated vehicles, including licensing, insurance, prohibition and permitting.

Continue Reading

chnv Now playing play

ckkc Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Fatal crash claims the life of 17-year old from Proctor

Nelson RCMP are searching for witnesses in relation to a fatal collision that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl from Proctor. 

B.C. boosts funding to expand RCMP hate crime unit

British Columbia is significantly expanding the RCMP’s provincial hate crimes unit.

RCMP vehicle sparks wildfire north of Lytton

A wildfire burning near Lytton grew to over 1.5 square kilometres Thursday and has been declared a wildfire of note by the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Climate advocate joins B.C. Greens leadership race

The B.C. Greens have added 24-year-old climate advocate Emily Lowan from Victoria to the slate of candidates in the party's leadership race.

Residents can leave feedback on CleanBC initiative using survey

The B.C. government wants your thoughts on its plan to lower emissions by filling in a survey.
- Advertisement -