EEC seeks spray guards for 3.5 tonne trucks
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Proposals to fit spray suppression equipment to all lorries above 3.5 tonnes and to trailers have been approved by the EEC Commission in Brussels. The proposals which include the fitting of bars to prevent under-running will now be put to EEC transport ministers.
Brussels has put forward the following timetable for the installation of the new equipment: 30 September 1988 for all vehicles submitted for EEC type approval (for export). 1 May 1989 for all new vehicles brought into service. 1 October 1989 for all vehicles in use.
An EEC official claimed that the cost should not exceed £300-£400 per vehicle.
"This is not much set against the normal running costs of an HGV" he said. "Spray is the most serious complaint the public has against heavy lorries."
Brussels reports that the reaction from manufacturers to the proposals is "not negative". Firms have merely asked for clarification.
0 The Commission takes issue with Britain's Freight Transport Association over tests showing the effect of spray. An EEC official said the test results presented by the FTA showed that spray was not such a serious problem.
"These tests were made with trailers when 80% of the spray is caused by the driving axle," he said.
The FTA refutes any criticism of its spray tests.
"We carried out lots of tests at various speeds at the Motor Industry Research Association, and obviously we had to use tractor units to pull the trailers. The effects of the trailer and the drive axle were monitored by video cameras," says an FTA spokesman.