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Tachograph spec unchanged until 1980
Page 34
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• Tachographs already in existence and in use on more than 9000 vehicles in this country will meet the Government specification when the instruments become a legal requirement in 1976, and for the ensuing period until 1980 when the EEC specification comes into effect.
This was the message contained in a written Parliamentary answer by Mr John Peyton, Minister for Transport Industries, to a question put by Mr D. Awdry, MP for Chippenham. Mr Peyton stated that he was seeking the necessary powers at a "convenient legislative opportunity" to give type approval to tachographs currently being marketed.
From January 1 1976 all new commercial vehicles over 34 tons gross weight and those carrying dangerous loads will be required to have tachographs fitted and from January 1 1978 all existing vehicles within the same classes will also be affected. The Minister's announcement now gives operators ample time to have instruments fitted and for employees to become familiar with their use and with no fear that tachographs of current design, costing more than £50, will become obsolete until at least 1980. The indication in recent months has been that fewer instruments have been fitted because of uncertainty concerning the situation.
There is no provision in current legislation for tachograph discs being used as -evidence in courts of law except for drivers' hours offences, although the situation is under review but already in Germany police have the power to rely on discs as evidence in traffic cases and analysis has also proved useful in determining blame in accidents.
It is understood that in France a tighter specification has been proposed, insisting that tachographs provide information in addition to recording when the vehicle is in motion, its speed and distance travelled, in relation to the time of day,' but this is regarded largely as a delaying tactic to enable the French to set up their own manufacturing facilities. However, It is considered unlikely that before 1980 a tachograph industry could be effectively created from scratch.