Smoky trucks a myth
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by Juliet Morrison • The myth that trucks are the worst polluters on the road is set to go up in smoke, following the launch of the Government's high-profile antiemissions campaign.
At a central London check attended by Transport Secretary Brian Mawhinney and Vehicle Inspectorate vehicle examiners, police picked out more than 200 CVs, cars and taxis suspected of breaking emissions laws.
At the first checks at Marble Arch on 2 November, only three out of 20 trucks inspected in the morning were prohibited. They were given 28 days to get new annual roadworthiness certificate and to rectify the problem or face a fine of up to .£5,000. But the trucks could only be driven for 10 days without undergoing repair work. Twenty seven of 100 diesels stopped were prohibited. Taxis fared poorly and 16 of the 126 petrolengined cars and vans stopped were prohibited.
said the annual roadworthiness test might be toughened up. Driver Alan Griggs of Margate-based DJ Haulage, whose truck passed the test, was furious at being held up because he earns performance-related pay: "I might not make my re-load now," he said