C & U goes through
Page 8
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• Parliament has given the thumbs-up to a new set of Construction and Use regulations for road vehicles, which will bring Britain's vehicle regulations further into line with Europe.
Most significant of the changed C&U regulations is the increase in the maximum permitted width of refrigerated vehicles from 2.5m to 2.58m.
Junior Transport Minister Peter Bottomley says this measure demonstrates the Government's willingness to listen to road industry comments on vehicle dimensions. However, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) says that, while it welcomes the reefer width changes, it would have preferred an increase to 2.6m in line with many other European countries.
Hauliers will not be pleased with the Government's failure to alter the maximum length of semi-trailers operating in this country. Under the new regulations all new vehicles operating within the UK will remain subject to the existing 12.2m Limit, but vehicles normally used on international journeys will be exempt (to comply with EEC directive 85/3).
From October 1, 1988, all new heavy goods vehicles will have to be fitted with nearside and close-proximity, wide-angle, rear-view mirrors to comply with EEC directive 85/205.
Bottomley considers the new regulations' provisions for mirrors are particularly important, and he hopes operators will start fitting wide-angle and close-proximity mirrors before the regulations come into effect.
There is also a change in the regulations prohibiting the use of video screens in the driver's field of vision. As we reported in CM, June 21, the new regulations allow the use of video screens for reversing systems and route guidance equipment.