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French push for Eu
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Ind limiters • French plans for compulsory HGV speed limiters are being considered by the EC Commission.
Brussels officials are reacting to a French argument that limiters throughout Europe would help enforce the HGV speed restrictions currently being pushed through the European Parliament.
In January the EC proposed motorway limits of 80km/h for HGVs over 12 tonnes, and 70km/h on other roads outside built-up areas. These proposals, which were drawn up after a French road accident study, are in their early stages.
The EC Commission wants "to get HGV speed restriction proposals accepted before we start drawing up enforcement plans."
The EC expects opposition to the plan from some European Governments: "We think some Governments will not want this. We expect Britain to argue it is not a matter which should be decided by the Commission," it says.
But several EC countries already have limiter regulations governing their domestic oper ators. France requires all vehicles over 10 tonnes to be fitted with limiters; in Germany they are mandatory on specialist HGVs. Italy plans to introduce limiter legislation soon, and the Belgium parliament is looking at the idea too. In April this year the British Government made it mandatory for all new coaches to have top speed limiters.
Former Transport Minister Peter Bottomley hinted that trucks could follow suit at the Commercial Motor Fleet Management conference in May when he said: "Speed limiters in trucks should be the next
la on from coaches unless number of HGV speedsters reduced.
The Freight Transport Assolion says it would not be rprised if compulsory limiter Oslation was introduced, but would not support such a we.
Road transport law adviser gel Walpole says: "The vrA not sure if the gains of haylimiters are worthwhile. miters only relate to motorays as they work on maxum speed. They are
7evelant to other roads and ost operators use plenty of )1a-motorway routes. It is also nibtful whether they would ip prevent road accidents as it is very rare that an accident happens while vehicles travel at maximum speeds," says Walpole.
"We do not see the need for compulsory speed limiters in the industry," he stresses. "Driver training and education is more important."
P EC transport delegates meet next month in France to discuss European specification for speed limiters.
Several British limiter manufacturers are known to be dissatisfied with the proposed specification, claiming the proposed European tolerance is too loose and would allow vehicles to break speed limits by up to 12km/h.