Chalker reassures on motorway limits
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1ACH OPERATORS need not fear any reduction of the rtorway speed limit damaging the potential of their exIss services provided they behave responsibly, Transport nister Lynda Chalker told me, writes NOEL MILLIER.
he said she was happy with iches travelling at 70mph on torways but she warned that lations of the speed limit uld not be tolerated in any :umstances.
he said that coach drivers auld be prepared to slow rvn when conditions made it :essary and operators should edule vehicles taking into isideration the possibility of ays such as those caused by ential road repairs and in no :umstances should schedules as tight as to encourage ieding or infringements of fors' hours legislation. Mrs Chalker said that the Department of Transport is happy with coach safety standards but not complacent. While coach accidents are relatively infrequent it does have plans to make vehicles safer. It is planned to adopt ECE Regulations regarding the strength of seats and superstructure.
Construction and Use standards are good but it is the responsibility of operators to ensure that their vehicles meet the requirements at all times.
When asked if the West German Tempo 100 system had merits and was under consideration for Britain, Mrs Chalker said that Britain already has stringent safety standards including some more stringent than those required by Tempo 100. Our tilt test was more stringent than Tempo 100 and there was no evidence that coaches in Britain have an inadequate power to weight ratio for travelling at 70mph on motorways.
There are few steep inclines on the British motorway network although the power-to-weight ratio was possibly more relevant on West German autobahns.
The DTp is looking at the need for seat belts in coaches although there is a problem finding anchorage points for shoulder type belts. Lap belts on seats not protected by the seat in front are better than nothing, and are being considered.
Mrs Chalker said that the Transport and Road Research Laboratory was looking at the operation of top speed limiters and the National Bus Company was trying these in service. If these proved satisfactory it is possible that they could become a requirement in future.