Hauliers to fit limiters
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• Hauliers will be allowed to fit their own truck speed limiters when they become compulsory on HGVs up to four years old from 1993. But calibration and sealing will have to be handled by Vehicle Inspectorateapproved agents, proposed by the limiter manufacturers.
This follows a three-hour meeting last week between limiter manufacturers, the Department of Transport and trade associations. The official consultation period ends on 12 June; legislation is due by August.
It is not yet known how often limiters will have to be checked and calibrated. Tachographs are inspected every two years and calibrated six-yearly. Also to be decided is whether agents appointed by the manufacturers will be able to inspect rival manufacturers' devices.
Tacho centres must be able to check other makes, but this is easier with tachos than with speed limiters, says Roger Hamilton of limiter manufacturer Econocruise. However, he says he has consulted rival supplier Lucas Kienzle and both firms "would be happy to train each others' agents".
There will be no limit on the number of centres each manufacturer can nominate, but each centre will have to meet standards set by the VI. There are currently around 500 tacho calibration centres and many of these are likely to become agents.