EEC should adopt UK safety standards
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• British road safety standards in the hgv test should be adopted throughout the EEC, the Freight Transport Association has told the DoE.
The FTA says that the proposed EEC test appears to be less comprehensive than the present UK equivalent. And it wants to see the UK test applied not only `to lorries, but other types of vehicles covered by the EEC draft directive on the inspection of vehicles and trailers.
If it is decided to adopt an inferior testing standard than Britain has at present, then the present UK standards would have to be reviewed to ensure that British operators are not placed at a disadvantage.
But it says the standards could not be compared as the draft directive does not specify reasons for rejecting the vehicles.
The FTA explains that there is no
comparability in the types of vehicles exempt from the test. But there is a need for a limited number of exemptions. It lists these as:—
"Motor vehicles used for public works, industrial, horticultural or agricultural purposes which can do no more than 30 kph, or are not used on public roads. And trailers with a maximum unladen weight of 500kg, or which can be attached to towing vehicles incapable of speeds over 30 kph, or are not used on public roads.
"In addition there would need to be exemptions covering vehicles used for the haulage of lifeboats, vehicles destined for export or use by visiting forces and pre1940 vehicles and trailers."
The FTA says it does not regard the harmonization of vehicle testing as a matter of high priority, and is discussing its proposals with the DoE.