REVIEW OF A MANDATORY VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM: PROJECT REPORT

In 1983, the British Columbia Government ended a periodic mandatory private vehicle-inspection program. Since that time, there have been a number of requests to re-instate the program. This study was initiated to assess whether a cost-beneficial program exists or could be developed that would improve highway safety through the reduction of accidents, particularly those with fatalities or injuries. The study identified the type and extent of existing major private vehicle-inspection programs in North America and included any reported evaluation of their effectiveness and efficiency; analyzed statistics of accidents caused by defective or unsafe motor vehicles in B.C. or other jurisdictions; assessed the impact of vehicle-inspection programs on vehicle fitness and road safety; and conducted a survey of the public's opinion on the importance of such a program, the awareness level of the current private program, and the level of support for a mandatory program.