'Self-regulation' foi
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• Draft proposals on speed limiter fitment and checking have provoked a mixed response from the industry.
The Department of Transport's latest consultative document leaves regulation up to industry — and does not limit the number of people authorised to fit speed limiters, but after 1992 authorisation will have to be obtained from the DTp. It will only be given to firms conforming to standards on training, equipment and record keeping set by the Vehicle Certification Agency and the Vehicle Inspectorate.
Any company found to have sealed a speed limiter which has not been installed or calibrated correctly would automatically lose its DTp authorisation.
However, the main bone of contention lies with the depart
ment's planned enforcement policy. The Government has said that it will not demand regular inspections of speed limter equipment.
"In practice speed limiters are likely to be as accurate as the instruments from which they draw their speed input signal which include the tachograph, anti-lock braking system or electronic engine management," says the department.
"We believe there is no justification for a separate legal requirement for periodic inspection of speed limiters, particularly as tachographs have to be inspected at two and six yearly intervals," it adds.
Speed limiter manufacturer Lucas Kienzle is leading the campaign against the proposed regulations. It says they lack any promise of effective enforcement and believes the regulations have lust become a political statement". It has appealed to RoSPA, claiming the plans will jeopardise road safety.
Lucas is disappointed that the Government has not based its limiter regulations on the