Rifkind fires ractors retro rocket
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• Tractive units up to four years old will have to be fitted with speed limiters to restrict them to a maximum 60mph (96km/h) under Government proposals. But the Vehicle Inspectorate warns that enforcement could prove difficult.
Limiters are expected to be mandatory for all new trucks over 7.5 tonnes by August 1992: older lorries are due to follow by July 1993.
The plan, unveiled by Transport Secretary Malcolm Rifkind at the Scottish Tory conference, goes much further than measures outlined in a recent consultation paper: the Government believes retrospective fitment has widespread public support.
"We all know how terrifying it is on a motorway when an articulated lorry comes charging down, breaking the speed limit," says Rifkind. "If a crash takes place, its effect would be infinitely more serious because of the huge weight and destructive power." The move will cost the haulage industry an estimated £30m in fitment costs — limiters cost about £500 and 58,000 trucks under four years old will be affected.
The Vehicle Inspectorate says that checking speed limiters for accuracy will be difficult unless investment is made in a system similar to tachograph calibration stations. And that, says VI deputy chief-executive Julian David, looks difficult: "There are no primary legislation powers to allow the DTp to require the setting up or licensing of organisations to fit and calibrate speed limiters."
One way to get that primary power would be to tack the speed limiter proposals on to the North Bill on traffic regulation which is currently going through Parliament.
The Department of Transport has made it clear that it will con suit on the details of retrospective legislation, and the RHA will be seeking exemptions for some categories of vehicles, such as tippers.
The Freight Transport Association has criticised the Government for barking up the wrong tree.
"Retrospective fitment of speed limiters is unnecessary, unjustified, and based on the false premise that speed limiters will lead to a significant reduction in motorway accidents," says the association's directorgeneral Garry Turvey.
"There are a minority who let the industry down, but although speeding can never be condoned by any road user, it is a minor factor in motorway accidents. Efficient, well-run firms already control speed as a matter of course through careful monitoring of tachograph charts."
The new regulations will apply to lorries owned and oper ated in Britain but not to foreignregistered vehicles. Limiters will be compulsory on foreignmade trucks sold in this country. The proposals have already been cleared by the EC.
There were almost 18,000 accidents involving LGVs in 1989, and 325,000 involving cars. Although the rate for trucks is much lower that for cars, DTp officials argue that when lorries do crash, the effects are much more serious. 0 A general review of speed limits is underway at the DTp.