By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THE Government is advancing legislation that will require all vehicles to undergo annual emission testing in an effort to reduce the amount of pollutants released into the environment.
In a press statement, Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett said the proposed legislation is necessary to protect the natural environment from the negative effects of air pollutants.
“This proposed legislation calls for all passenger vehicles, excluding antique vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles with electric motor attached or motor scooters to undergo emissions testing. The owners of motor vehicles would be required to present their vehicles for testing on an annual basis,” the release said.
“Such test would be conducted under the guidance of the Controller of the Road Traffic Department. Should the vehicle pass the emissions test a certificate of standard will be issued which should be affixed to the motor vehicle. Should the vehicle not meet the set standard a grace period of four weeks will be granted in order to become compliant. There are also penalties for persons failing to present their vehicles for emissions testing at the prescribed time.”
The cost of testing for vehicles is $10 for passenger vehicles, light trucks, rebuilt vehicles and diesel vehicles. Owners of heavy trucks, will, however, be required to pay $20 for testing.
According to the legislation, no person shall operate or cause to permit the operation of a motor vehicle from which there is visible emission of exhaust for more than 15 seconds in any five minute period.
Anyone who contravenes the provisions of the regulations commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $500.
This intended legislation also contains a schedule of the maximum permissible emissions for passenger vehicles, light trucks, heavy trucks and diesel fuelled vehicles.
A copy of the bill called the Environmental Health (Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2013 is being released to start the process of public consultation on this matter.
The bill will be available for viewing or download by the general public at www.bahamas.gov.bs and on the Ministry of Environment and Housing’s facebook page. Copies can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Housing.
Comments
B_I_D___ 10 years, 1 month ago
I'm all for cleaner vehicles and less pollution, but it's the same old thing...they can't even do the routine inspection properly, cars driving around with busted headlights, no mirrors, body parts falling off, shattered windows, bald belt showin' tires...and they are going to try and enforce an emissions check. Again...those with buddies in the right places gonna slip home boy a tenner or something and get a free sticker. That's just how wee Bahamas roll...always a way around the rules if you know the right person!
Kalikgold 10 years, 1 month ago
WOW! I never thought this day would come! This will definitely be good for the environment once implemented. More than 1/2 of them Jitneys will fail!! Or maybe the PLP will turn around and not enforce this like that gaming referendum. Ditto!
positiveinput 10 years, 1 month ago
That's a bull crap way of getting an extra ten bucks from the pockets of us Bahamians. If its for the safety of the environment, why not just include it in the annual vehicle inspection cost. Just another straw on us camel's (average citizen's) back. What about the emission that last over 15 seconds from when the cruise liners crank up those bad boys, or is it that the air over the waters don't mix with that over land. There should not be an inspection cost for such however a penalty for the driver of excessive polluting vehicles should be given.
The_Oracle 10 years, 1 month ago
Can we get an emissions check on the City dump first please? Another sticker which will rise in price annually. What are they gonna do when half the vehicles in the Bahamas fail? $20 per sticker?
ohdrap4 10 years, 1 month ago
That is not necessary, says the deputy director of the dump:
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/m...">Residents told evacuation after dump blaze is 'unnecessary'
Bahamianpride 10 years, 1 month ago
The country has too many cars in the first place, abandoned vehicles, traffic congestion or just undocumented illegal vehicles, why not fix this first. Got to improve public transportation and perhaps create bike routes when the country becomes safer.. But creating more fees is not the way.. Nassau at 21-7, there should not be that many vehicles around..
digimagination 10 years, 1 month ago
As it stands at the moment, the so-called 'vehicle inspection' is a pathetic joke! It's a complete con as the 'inspection' is often not carried out at all and it is just a means of collecting money by false pretenses. Let's start with a PROPER inspection - working lights all round, tires with a certain defined tread depth, functioning brakes etc, etc, - before implementing any new test.
Kind of reminds me of another scenario going on where they are trying to impose a new tax (VAT) before fully collecting various outstanding real property taxes and suchlike.
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