Nova Scotia's New Traffic Safety Act Takes Effect Monday With Stricter Fines and Municipal Powers
Nova Scotia's Traffic Safety Act, replacing the Motor Vehicle Act in place since the early 1900s, comes into effect Monday. The legislation introduces fines of up to $2,000 for careless driving causing injury or death, new penalties for dooring cyclists, and grants Halifax Regional Municipality authority over local speed limits. Road safety advocates argue higher fines alone will not address underlying infrastructure deficiencies.
Nova Scotia’s new Traffic Safety Act comes into effect on Monday, marking the province’s largest change to road safety in recent history. Passed in fall 2025, the legislation replaces the Motor Vehicle Act, which had been in place since the early 1900s.
The act introduces 26 new regulations, including stricter financial penalties. Drivers who fail to drive in a careful and prudent manner and cause injury or death to a vulnerable road user now face fines of up to $2,000. A new offence specifically addresses “dooring” incidents—failing to take due precautions when opening a vehicle door—imposing a fine of up to $600. Dalhousie University professor Nouman Ali died earlier this year from a dooring incident.
Pedestrians are also subject to new penalties under the act. They could face fines of up to $1,000 for walking in front of a vehicle and up to $600 for failing to use a highway with due care. Additional changes include updated car seat requirements, protections for cyclists, and age restrictions for e-bikes and e-scooters.
The legislation grants Halifax Regional Municipality the power to change speed limits of 80 km/h and under without needing provincial approval. Last year, Halifax Regional Municipality recorded 20 fatal collisions and 182 fatal or serious collisions on city roads.
While the provincial government describes the act as a flexible and modern response to transportation needs, Vision Zero Kjipuktuk-Halifax advocate Martyn Williams argues that more enforcement and higher fines will not necessarily solve root problems regarding road safety. Williams criticizes the definition of a pedestrian in the new regulations for eliminating people using mobility scooters or wheelchairs.
Despite the legislative overhaul, Nova Scotia will not be implementing red-light or speed cameras soon, according to the Department of Public Works. Ontario Premier Doug Ford made the decision to remove all speed cameras in his province last year.