VANS and minibuses will be forced to curb their speeds on European roads as the EU proposes to install speed limiters on smaller vehicles.
At present, passenger-carrying vehicles weighing over 10 tonnes have to have limiters set at 100km/h, while goods carrying vehicles over 12 tonnes have to restrict their speed to 90km/h.
Under Directive 2002/85/EC, passenger vehicles with more than eight passenger seats and goods vehicles with a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes will have to set limiters at 100 and 90km/h respectively.
The directive is expected to come into force by January next year, although the EU affords member states optional transitional periods up to three years. However, many truck drivers in Cyprus have yet to comply with existing legislation on speed limiters, arguing for government aid to help fit limiters on old trucks.
Transport Department acting head Soteris Kolettas said discussions were ongoing between the Ministry of Communications and Works and transport organisations on the matter. Existing legislation applies for all newly-registered trucks, he said, but for existing trucks, the issue is still being debated.
The Commission argues that Brussels’ latest directive will improve road safety, reduce road casualties, and provide fuel savings and emissions savings due to lower average speed. The costs are forecast to be installation costs and additional costs due to longer journey times.
Meanwhile, the House European Affairs Committee convened yesterday to discuss harmonisation measures on the transport of dangerous goods. Transposition of this legislation is much more urgent, explained Kolettas, highlighting that the government was duty-bound to have it in force before accession.
The Transport Department head said the law would likely come before Parliament during tomorrow’s session. The law regulates the transport of dangerous goods, setting out special controls and equipment for the vehicles in question. Drivers have to take specific tests to transport dangerous goods while transport companies involved with dangerous goods are forced to hire safety advisors. The law paves the way for trucks transporting dangerous goods to be checked on route and their goods sampled at random.
