Bridge-bashing plans Driving testers in
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new strike threat
face two-year delay
• Measures to combat bridge bashing could take two years in to come into force fully, says the Department of Transport.
Regulations to be laid shortly before Parliament are expected to stipulate that new rigid vehicles carrying power-operated equipment, such as cranes, will be the first to have to fit in-cab automatic warning devices.
These devices, which will alert drivers if their loads have not been folded down properly, are expected to become manda
tory on new rigids some time next year.
At the same time all rigids, artics and drawbar rigs over three metres will have to carry cab notices warning drivers of the maximum height bridge that they can attempt.
After that, warning devices will be phased in on older vehicles over two years, probably starting with rigids. The Freight Transport Association welcomes the phased approach but warns that manufacturers would need at
least six months' notice to introduce warning devices on new vehicles. • Truck driving test candidates face more misery as examiners plan further one-day strikes for higher pay following last week's stoppage. Nearly 300 would-be truck and bus drivers take their tests every day.
Car driving tests are being even harder hit as candidates rush to pass before the new written theory exam comes in on 1 July—written tests for truck and bus candidates will not be introduced until 1 January next year.
Bernard Herdan, chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency, says most candidates will be slotted into other dates.
The Public Services Tax and Commerce Union says another strike is planned for tomorrow (28 June), followed by a work to rule on other days. "We have no other option but to strike because the management unilaterally suspended negotiations and imposed this inadequate pay offer," says the union.