News release

Public Input on Offences, Penalties, Mandatory Suspensions Regulations

Public Works

The government continues to seek input on Traffic Safety Act draft regulations.

Nova Scotians can now provide feedback on proposed regulations that will define the offences and mandatory suspensions under the provincial act, as well as specify the penalties and fines associated with each offence.

The draft regulations are available online effective today, October 29.

This is the seventh set of proposed regulations that have been shared for public comment. Since September 2020, feedback has been collected on draft regulations for drivers, vehicles, rules for using the road, business licensing, roles and responsibilities, and administration.

An eighth section, Vehicle Weights and Dimensions, has been added as the final phase for public input. This section is part of the regulations for vehicles but was deferred during earlier public input.

The act and regulations will take effect after the public review and once required upgrades to the Registry of Motor Vehicles information system are completed.

Nova Scotians can get more information and provide feedback at: https://novascotia.ca/traffic-safety-act-public-engagement/

The deadline for feedback on the proposed Offences, Penalties and Mandatory Suspensions regulations is Monday, November 29.

Quick Facts:

  • the Traffic Safety Act was passed unanimously in the fall of 2018 and will replace the outdated Motor Vehicle Act, which was written in the early 1920s
  • the act is designed as a framework, setting broad policy and regulatory authority to quickly address changing technologies and future road-safety needs
  • since the last major revision in 1989, the Motor Vehicle Act has been amended more than 62 times
  • the legislation, once in effect, will be more concise than the current Motor Vehicle Act, moving technical detail to regulation and allowing more flexibility and responsiveness to emerging issues
  • the Traffic Safety Act reflects significant stakeholder engagement with 31 groups and 23 partners including Bicycle Nova Scotia, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Road Safety Advisory Committee, Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police and Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

Additional Resources:

Bill 80 – The Traffic Safety Act: https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/63rd_2nd/1st_read/b080.htm