Heavier is not more unsafe
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I must respond to Tim Beasby's letter (CM I 24-30 Oct) in which he implies that the European Commission is against a 44tonne weight limit for road safety reasons. I would remind Mr Beasby that in February 1994 the European Commission proposed to set a maximum weight of 44 tonnes for six-axle combinations throughout the EU.
When discussed by the Council of Transport Ministers in September 1995 it was they that put the commission's pro posal on one side. However, it still remains a commission proposal formally on the council table for a future EU presidency to "pick up and run with". I can also reassure Mr. Beasby that the European Commission will not confuse "heavier" with "more unsafe", not least since the same unit that proposed the 44tonne limit is also responsible for road safety issues. Robert Missen, DG VII Transport, European Commission.