CV anti-lock looms
Page 6
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• Some of the HOVs, trailers and PSVs sold after April 1992 will have to be fitted with antilock brake systems, says Transport Minister Robert Atkins.
He has told MPs that draft regulations have been published introducing the ABS requirements, which were launched by an EC directive in 1988.
Vehicles covered by the ABS regulations will include: El Towing vehicles over 16tonnes and trailers over 10tonnes gross weight.
El Touring coaches and intercity buses over 12-tonnes gross weight.
The draft regulations apply to new trailers, manufactured on or after 1 October 1991, and to new lorries first used on or after 1 April 1992.
Atkins says that ABS will increase vehicle braking stability and reduce jack-kniving in slippery road conditions. The DTp wants comments on the draft re lations by 17 April 1990. L. Further revisions to the 16.5m artic length regulations
are being formulated by the Department of Transport, even before they come into force on 19 March.
The Freight Transport Association identified problems in the wording of the regulations.
The use of existing 12.2m trailers with tractive units built to the new dimensions would have been prohibited. The DTp has agreed to revise the regulations so that articulated combinations over 15.5m do not have to conform with turning circle requirements, providing the trailer was manufactured before 1 April this year.
The DTp has also agreed to modify the regulations applying to trailers fitted with dual king pins.