To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she will consider asking the Driver and Vehicle Agency to run an advertising campaign reminding those who have received Temporary Exemption Certificates that they continue to be responsible for ensuring that their vehicles are roadworthy.

The issuing of Temporary Exemption Certificates (TECs) was a necessary and effective mechanism to address the challenges posed by the measures implemented to deal with COVID 19, and enable customers to continue to legally use their vehicles on the road, throughout the period of time when it was not possible to conduct vehicle tests.

I am aware of the concerns around ensuring that, throughout the exemption period, customers are reminded of their responsibility to ensure that their vehicle is in a roadworthy condition for it to be driven safely and legally on the public road, which is also the expectation of the PSNI and insurers, and I have made that clear on numerous occasions. My department’s advice to motorists is that they should continue to service their vehicle and carry out basic checks such as regularly checking tyre pressures and tread depths, looking out for brake wear and ensuring that all lights are working. This is a motorist’s responsibility at all times, not just during the exemption period afford by a TEC.

Over the past few months, my Department has used a number of platforms and formats to convey this road safety message to customers. The DVA has made this clear in its direct communications with customers and this message has been reiterated in statements and press releases issued by the Department, and I have stated this in the Assembly on many occasions and asked members for their assistance in communicating this to their constituents. Furthermore, the importance of ensuring vehicle roadworthiness and wider vehicle maintenance messages have been frequently published on social media, using a number of government platforms which include nidirect, the Department’s main social media platforms and the Share the Road to Zero platform, which has a strong road safety message. Officials in my Department also work closely with partner organisations and stakeholders who share these messages through their own platforms. The messages cover a number of topics, from general vehicle roadworthiness to tyre safety, winter weather precautions and regular vehicle checks.

The emphasis on these messages will continue over the coming months and their frequency will be reviewed as appropriate.