New lighting regs before parliament
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NEW VEHICLE lighting regulations, The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1984, SI No 812, were laid before Parliament last week by Nicholas Ridley, Transport Secretary.
These regulations replace and revoke 16 Statutory Instruments and certain sections of the Road Traffic Act. The format of the regulations separates the "construction" from the "use" requirements and shows clearly which lamps and reflectors must be fitted to each type of vehicle. Technical details about the fitting and performance of each type of light are set out systematically in Schedules to the regulations, All references to vehicle weights and dimensions have been metricated. The rules for most vehicles manufactured from October 1, 1985 are closely aligned with EEC Directives.
Lynda Chalker, Transport Minister, explained last week why the regulations have been changed. "These regulations contain in one document all the rules relating to the lighting of vehicles on our roads. I believe that they are considerably clearer and simpler than the many regulations they replace and so should make it much easier for everyone concerned, especially vehicle manufacturers, to find out what the law is."
The Regulations cover the use of lights as well as the requirements about their fitting and technical performance. But the rules about the use of lights re main largely unchanged. There is, however, a new rule that headlamps and front and rear foglamps must not be used if they would cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users. The regulations also make it clear that front and rear foglamps must not be used unless visibility is seriously reduced.
Mrs Chalker says, "Of course, vehicle lights are only effective if they are properly maintained and I should like to take this opportunity to remind road users that the law requires them to ensure that their lights are kept clean and in good working order."