Current vehicle emissions laws sufficient, says AA

A vehicle inspector checks exhaust emissions at Masterton's vehicle testing station. File picture / Wairarapa Times-Age

Drivers of smoky vehicles can still be kept in check by existing laws despite the Government ruling out one kind of emission test at warrant of fitness checks, the Automobile Association (AA) says.

The Government yesterday decided against idle testing vehicles to check for harmful emissions, saying such testing would have proved more expensive than first thought.

Associate Transport Minister Judith Tizard has asked officials to find other ways to clean up the New Zealand vehicle fleet, including whether there should be a visual smoke test as part of a warrant of fitness check.

AA public affairs spokesman George Fairbairn said the testing would have been expensive and unnecessary.

"The 10 second rule which allows any police officer to ticket a vehicle making visible emissions for more than 10 seconds still applies," Mr Fairbairn said today.

"Those driving vehicles which discharge black soot should remember this."

Police road policing spokesman Inspector John Kelly said between 300 and 400 notices a year were served under the 10-second rule.

He said it was difficult to say how widespread the problem was.

"It's one of those rules that when we see an offence, we take appropriate action," Mr Kelly said.

Mr Fairbairn said the best way to reduce emissions, particularly from diesel vehicles, was to have them tuned regularly.

Surveys of AA members found a clear majority supported compulsory tuning as part of warrant of fitness checks, he said.

The Road Transport Forum welcomed the Government's decision not to impose the tests, which it said were costly.

"Around 40-50 per cent of emissions are produced by just 10 per cent of vehicles on the road. These are the vehicles that should be targeted," the forum said.

"Encouraging uptake of low-emission technology and the removal of end-of-life cars and trucks is a sensible way to get the worst performers off the road."

A spokeswoman for Ms Tizard yesterday said it was initially thought that idle testing would cost between $4 and $10 a test. But consultation with industry had determined it would cost about $35 a test and could cost as much as $60 a test.

- NZPA