Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act
Proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act, which were introduced on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, will clarify how emerging personal transportation devices are to be used and will ensure the safety of everyone who uses roads and sidewalks. The amendments will allow for the regulation of new transportation devices, and for pilot projects to be established, giving government the chance to partner with communities in researching and testing how new mobility technologies fit in. Currently, a personal transportation device that does not fall under the act’s definition of a motor vehicle, cycle or pedestrian is not permitted to operate on highways or sidewalks, and some new devices struggle to fit into any category. These amendments will give government the ability to address this. Establishing the authority to conduct pilot projects under the act provides an opportunity for government and local communities to effectively address changing public mobility needs and expectations.