New muddle
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• Draft regulations on truck speed limiters just released by the Department of Transport seem to suggest that 17-tonners up to four years old will have to be retrofitted along with tractive units.
The document — which launches a three-week consultation period before the regulations are finalised in the autumn — has caused confusion in the industry.
It says that limiters will have to be fitted to vehicles first used after 1 August 1988 which have a gross vehicle weight in excess of 16 tonnes. It adds: "and, additionally, in the case of rigidbodied vehicles, where the gross train weight is more than five tonnes".
The Dip says this does not mean all four-year-old rigids of more than 16 tonnes will have to be retrofitted after 1 August next year; only those plated to pull a drawbar trailer of more than five tonnes.
But the Road Haulage Association says it is disappointed that the regulations have been extended to include rigids towing trailers as well as artics. "The haulier who only occasionally uses drawbar trailers is going to have to fit speed limiters if he is likely to cross the 'plus five tonnes' weight threshold," it says.
The Freight Transport Association says it is confused over what the regulations mean and will need time to consider them.
All new HGVs over 7.5 tonnes will have to be fitted with limiters from 1 August next year, and in May Transport Secretary Malcolm Rifkind announced that tractive units up to four years old would have to have them too (CM 16-22 May).
Drivers of trucks carrying dangerous goods will have to pass a Government-approved national exam after 1994 or lose their jobs.
Draft regulations from the Health and Safety Commission this week propose a new certificate of driver training, which will have to be obtained by attending an approved training course and passing an exam.
The regulations will imple