MTA commends NZTA on banning roadside selling at Mosgiel entrance

The Motor Trade Association (MTA) says NZ Transport Agency’s (NZTA) recent decision to enforce its bylaw banning vehicles from being sold from the roadside on State Highway 87 (SH87) at the southern entrance into Mosgiel is a step in the right direction and local councils should consider following suit.

“We are pleased to see local authorities recognising the safety risk to pedestrians while they are inspecting the vehicles, and taking action,” says MTA spokesperson Ana Zandi. “Often these venues are located in high visibility and heavy volume traffic areas which by their very nature can be dangerous.”

Ms Zandi says that roadside selling poses a number of other issues in that it provides the perfect venue for illegal traders and cars riddled with problems. “We're not denying people who are legitimately selling their own vehicles privately outside their homes, however, we are concerned that some traders are masquerading as private sellers to avoid their financial and legal liabilities and, thereby, also reducing the buyer's legal rights."

“Consumers need to be wary about buying vehicles in this way, it’s high risk, and there's no ‘come back' if something goes wrong. Registered traders offer buyers security and reduce the risk if anything goes wrong, roadside sellers don't,” she says.

In early November, MTA wrote to 11 councils advising them of the roadside selling venues in their area and asking what they intended to do to reduce the risks associated with this activity.

Ms Zandi says that they are puzzled by the varying degrees of support by councils for MTA’s concerns of pedestrian safety and illegal trading.

Of the 11 councils targeted, the majority responded, with most of them actively pursuing and enforcing roadside selling in their areas. These included Tauranga City Council followed by Kapiti Coast, Hamilton City Council, Auckland City Council, Rotorua and Tasman District Council.

“We are very pleased that some councils are actively enforcing and monitoring these problem areas, however we are also disappointed that a couple of councils have not yet responded to our concerns or have decided to diminish the seriousness of this activity.”

“While some councils are taking positive action by implementing the bylaws banning roadside selling activity, they are ineffective if they aren’t being enforced and this seems to be the issue in most cases.”

Wellington City Council advised that their responsibility was limited to managing public safety and administering parking rules.

Ms Zandi says that roadside selling venues also raise another area of concern – it doesn’t support the local business community who are meeting their obligations in paying taxes and rates, and complying with relevant local bylaws.

ENDS

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