Limiter Law liked
Page 49
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• Your article on speed limiters (CM 22-28 Aug) provides the wrong impression about the Freight Transport Association's views on the principle of such legislation.
The FTA supports the concept of legislation on speed limiters and indeed made clear its views in January of this year prior to any proposals being published by the DTp.
Our concerns have solely related to such legislation being applied retrospectively on the grounds that we believe that the introduction of new requirements of this type are best dealt with on a new vehicle basis.
D Green Director — road transport regions & external affairs, Freight Transport Association.
To suggest that the FTA "supports the concept of legislation on speed limiters..." is not quite the whole story. Prior to its decision to back the fitment of limiters on new vehicles (CM 7-13 Feb) the FTA was definitely not in favour of them.
And in its press release condemning retrofitment issued on 10 May director-general Garry Turvey stated: "Although speeding can never be condoned by any road user, it is a minor factor in motorway accidents. Most of these are caused by driver error and irresponsible attitudes. Fitting (limiter) equipment to vehicles will not solve these problems."
According to Turvey, "...compulsory fitment of speed limiters.., will simply add to costs without any compensating benefits".
The PTA's original stance and subsequent statements would appear to be less than consistent with David Green's letter — Ed.