The SAN submitted comments to a Nova Scotia proposal to regulate altered-height vehicles. The proposal is the policy adopted by the Canadian Council for Motor Transport Administrators. Two years ago at SAN’s request, a Nova Scotia regulation that would have required retailers and installers to provide proof that all suspension lift products had been approved by a certified engineer was put on hold to allow regulatory agencies to conduct an impact study. At the time, the province had only one certified engineer available to conduct these inspections. In its comments, SAN reiterated its support for the 1988 American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators’ (AAMVA) policy as the only model regulation of its kind that gained the support of the car companies, the affected industry and the regulators and is still as valid and effective today as when first adopted.
“The SEMA Action Network has consistently supported enactment of responsible regulations in the matter of raised vehicles and has indicated its willingness to work with jurisdictional enforcement groups to assess and improve provincial and state regulations with the assistance of comprehensive data and support,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald.
The SAN continues to support the 1988 AAMVA model because it was founded on comprehensive OEM engineering analysis and data and it allows a reasonable opportunity for utility and performance-enhancing modifications. When adopted and enforced, the model prohibits unreasonable height modifications. The SAN is unaware of any data or information otherwise demonstrating that the 1988 AAMVA standard allows modifications which are the cause of accidents or injuries. In fact, if regulated within the current AAMVA standard, the variation in vehicle ride heights, bumper and frame heights due to aftermarket modification is not a factor considering the greater variation between stock OEM vehicles on the road today.
