FTA calls for clarification
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on Minister s tacho statement
by CM reporter THE Freight Transport Association and the tachograph manufacturers believe that the Minister for Transport's statement about the application to Brussels for deferment of hours and tacho regulations was far too vague.
Lucas Kienzle Instruments told CM this week that the Minister's statement was a negative one giving no help to any section of the road transport industry in removing present uncertainties. Smiths Industries said that they were currently studying the statement but were somewhat mystified about its real meaning. What alternative dates, for instance, had been suggested?
While the FTA warmly welcomed the Minister's decision saying that without deferment the cost to British industry from both regulations would be some £650 million a year, it said that further clarification was urgently needed so that operators could take crucial management decisions.
However, as a spokesman for Smiths Industries pointed out, the inference to be drawn from the statement was that tachographs, at any rate, were bound to be made compulsory in Britain sooner or later and a properly phased introduction on the Dutch or French lines would be more sensible than a haphazard unplanned programme.
However, the Road Haulage Association has expressed its pleasure in the possibility of both the restricted hours and the tachograph installation being deferred without wondering when or even if they will eventually be imposed.
The fitting of tachos seems to be the subject causing most comment, however, and as would be expected most of this is from the tacho manufacturers.
Question of cost
Lucas Kienzle seems to think that the Minister should have been more definite in giving the industry a lead on voluntary fitment and use. He should have given a hint of the success of his representations about tachos to give a signal to vehicle manufacturers to proceed with the fitting of the instrument as original equipment, they say.
No mention was made in the statement about the benefits of tachos, only the cost, complained Lucas Kienzle. They challenge the FTA estimate of £100 million which they say should be £80 million and say that this refers to total retrospective fitting. Fitment to new vehicles at an anticipated production of 60,000 a year at £120 a vehicle would cost about £7.2 million.
The fact that the view of the general public has not been sought is deplored because the instruments are intended for their safety as well as that of the driver, says Lucas Kienzle. In any case, enforcement of drivers' hours without tachos is virtually impossible.
Smiths Industries take the view that fitting of new vehicles by January 1, 19' presents no difficulty. The Se. don Atkinson range, Briti: Leyland's Marathon, Bedford TM and all Chrysler vehicli are being fitted with tach graphs now, Ford and son other British Leyland vehich will be so fitted later th month, •and the remainder British Leyland's vehicles wi be fitted from September. On: Bedford will continue to I fitted on specification from tt operator.
It is the retrospective fittin of vehicles carrying dangerot goods by January next whit would pose problems and a 4:1( ferment of only six montt would solve these according t Smiths.