International Rules on Brakes Drafted
Page 44
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DRAFT regulations concerning the brakes of vehicles and trailers were adopted by an international working party on the construction of vehicles which met at Geneva. The party, a subsidiary body of the inland transport committee of the Economic Commission for Europe, was appointed three years ago to establish braking standards.
Up to the present, the only relevant stipulation at international level has been that contained in Annex 6 to the 1949 Convention. Under this, a vehicle should have brakes capable of efficient operation anywhere that it might be used. Whilst national regulations are more specific, they differ from country to country, and their lack of uniformity is said to be inimical
to safety and a hindrance to trade. . Attempts made at industrial level to standardize braking regulations had failed. Under the rules adopted by the party, all vehicles must undergo a braking test with the brakes cold, and, in addition, certain vehicles must be checked with hot brakes to reveal loss of efficiency. The heaviest vehicles must be tested on long downhill runs.
Mr. G. Pocci, of Italy, has been re-elected chairman of the party, and Mr. N. Ostrovsky, Russia, vice-chairman.