HGV failures fall by 3%
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The number of HGVs failing their annual tests fell by almost 3% in 1990/91, according to the Vehicle Inspectorate's annual report (CM 25-31 July).
Trailer and PCV failures have also fallen from the previous year, by 1.6% and 2.9% respectively. The VT says that the statistics "signal an improvement in the roadworthiness of Britain's commercial vehicle fleet".
The failure rate of HGVs fell from 31.2% in 1989/90 to 28.596 in 1990/91. The most common failure items, as in previous years, were service brakes (7%), secondary brakes (5.7%), parking brakes (4.9%), headlamp aim (4.9%) and braking system components (4.1%).
For trailers the most frequent faults were: service brakes (8.3%), plate details (7.1%), parking brakes (5.4%), braking system components (3.4%) and secondary brakes (2%).
The number of HGVs stopped in roadside checks by traffic examiners rose by 28% to more than 112,000.
However, the prohibition rate fell from 9.2% to 8.2% in the case of delayed prohibitions, and from 9.3% to 7.1% for immediate prohibitions.
A total of 16 truck and LCV recall campaigns were carried out by the VI. These affected more than 142,000 vehicles, and the response rate from owners was 78%. The response to 10 PCV campaigns was 97%.
The VI says it is "worrying to note" that prohibition rates for light goods vehicles at spot checks rose by 1%, and is almost 50% higher than the rate for HGVs. Spot checks of LGVs will be increased.
It concludes that the merger with the traffic examiner organisation on 1 April has allowed more scope for developing initiatives to help meet the Department of Transport's road safety and casualty reduction objectives".
The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the fall in HGV test failures. The failure rate is still too high," it says. "But given the economic difficulties hauliers were facing during 1990/91, it is encouraging to see the failure rate reduction."