8,992 GV9s
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• Between October 1 1968 and August 31 this year. 354,126 tests and retests of goods vehicles were carried out at Ministry testing stations, said Mr. Fred Mulley. the new Minister of Transport, in the Commons this week. In 30 per cent of cases the vehicles failed to pass the test for various reasons and were refused certificates, he added.
Spot checks were carried out on 87,274 goods vehicles during the same period and 38 per cent of the vehicles were found to be defective.
The number of vehicles in the spot checks which had previously been tested at Ministry testing stations was not known, he pointed out.
Mr. Mulley explained that of the 33,507 defective vehicles, 8,992 were found to be so seriously unsafe as to receive immediate prohibition.
Replying to a suggestion that he might tighten up the regulations, Mr. Mulley said that the maximum penalties for operating unsafe goods vehicles were increased in recent legislation, and Licensing Authorities would have wide powers under the 1968 Transport Act to revoke the operators' licences of persons who put such vehicles on the roads.
He did not therefore have proposals for further changes at present.
Praise for R HA
• The RHA was this week praised by Mr. Mulley for the help it had given in the aftermath of the Nixon level crossing accident. He told MPs that the exchange of views between his Department and the Association's highways and traffic committee had been helpful to both sides towards understanding the detailed problems involved in implementing the Inquiry's recommendations.
Some technical points raised by the Association, which did not of themselves affect the Regulations and the traffic signs now being installed, were being given further consideration, added Mr. Mulley.
The Association had been assured that the effect of the modified installations and procedure would be carefully watched and any difficulties would be immediately considered.
The Association itself had undertaken to help with observations on these crossings, went on Mr. Mulley.
A particular outcome of these discussions had been that the Association had offered to help in making known to goods vehicle drivers the layout and procedures at automatic half-barrier level crossings. He was very grateful for this.