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SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE

6th September 2007
Page 10
Page 10, 6th September 2007 — SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE
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At last we are seeing a significant attempt to level the playing field between UK and foreign operators with a government consultation paper recommending that Vosa and the pollee should be empowered to issue on-the-spot fines to the drivers of illegal vehicles.

Foreign drivers who break the rules in the UK currently go virtually unpunished and these sanctions would go some way towards bringing visitors to our roads under the rule of law. Many foreign operators take an unfair advantage over their UK competitors by running bent, and a tougher stance by the UK authorities must be welcomed. We'll be sending this story to our contacts throughout Europe to get the message over to Continental operators.

The FTA would like to see the foreign cowboys hit even harder and we agree, but this is at least a first step. Also, let's remember that what's good for the goose is also good for the gander and UK operators will also need to take notice of the latest recommendations. A £200 penalty might not be high enough to satisfy the ETA, but for many UK operators it would wipe out a typical week's prof it — and that should be deterrent enough.

These fines will make life tougher for illegal operators in the UK, no matter where the truck is from, and that has to be welcomed. Next stop fuel duty!

• With the low-emission RPC incentive now offered for Euro-5 vehicles with on-board diagnostics we're expecting plenty of jostling from the truck manufacturers once again, all eager to seek competitive advantage from the new regs. SCR-equipped engines were the first to be certified to Euro-5, but this week the first EGR Euro-5 engine enters the arena. Scania's Euro-5 motor will make its public debut at the Amsterdam Truck Show in October and we've had a sneak preview (see news story, pages 6-7).

MAN was shouting loudest about its EGR engine at Euro-4 so many operators will be waiting anxiously for details of the German company's offering to meet the next round of emissions regulation.

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Organisations: ETA

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