Some anecdotal evidence is coming in that the abandonment of annual vehicle inspections at registration time in the ACT has resulted in more drivers neglecting to maintain their brakes properly. Some of it is coming from the brake industry itself, but that is no reason for immediately discounting it. Some is coming from the NRMA.
Annual inspections have been replaced by random street ones. The theory is that between annual inspections more people will be neglectful than if they might be subjected to a random street inspection any time. But faulty brakes or steering cannot be detected on the street, only cracked windscreens and bald tyres. The anecdotal evidence is that people are paying attention to windscreens and tyres at the expense of other more latent defects.
The aim of abandoning annual tests was to save money. But if it results in more crashes it will be counter-productive, even on the purely government ledger, let alone the human cost. Anecdotal evidence is not enough to justify reverting to the old system, but the Government must keep the matter under close watch and keep an open mind about restoring it.
The trouble is, it is very difficult to monitor because crashes usually have several causes. Evidence from various jurisdictions with different testing regimes supports both arguments. Given this and the extent of human suffering and property destruction cause by crashes, the government continued monitoring is a must.
The monitoring itself might help Canberrans realise that the best way to avoid a return to the inconvenience of annual inspections is to ensure they do proper maintenance themselves.