Limiters in France
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EUROPEAN manufacturers of commercial vehicles have been warned of French plans to demand speed limiters for heavy lorries and coaches in France.
According to the details of the law, which have been published in the Government's Official Gazette (Journal Office!) all lorries over 10 tonnes will be restricted to 90km/h.
For lorries over 19 tonnes — especially articulated vehicles — the limit will be only 80km/h.
The new law is believed to make France the first country in the EEC, if not in Europe, to control mechanically the speed of vehicles.
So far, there have not been protests from the French lorry industry. The additional cost of the speed limiter — which reduces the performance of the fuel pump — is not regarded as excessive. Experts estimate that the cost of re-equipping an existing lorry is in the region of £250.
The law will also apply to all imported lorries which will have to be equipped with the engine "brake" before they can be registered in France.
Before introducing the law, France studied the Japanese system where a light shows on the roof when a lorry exceeds the limit. But it was decided that the speed limiter which must already be installed in French lorries carrying dangerous loads — would prove more effective.
New 1983 models now on sale in France must be re-equipped by October 1984. The law will apply to all 1984 models.