HL Deb 06 March 1985 vol 460 cc1439-40WA
The Earl of Munster

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the adoption of a two-line braking system in heavy lorries is as safe as the three-line system previously in operation in this country, and, if not, whether they will try to raise the EEC standard to the level formerly obtaining in this country before we joined the EC rather than vice versa.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

The adoption of two-line braking system into our regulations in 1982 was only one part of the package of requirements contained in the EC Braking Directives. These directives are considerably more comprehensive than standards previously applied in the United Kingdom and result in safer braked vehicles. There is no evidence to suggest that deletion of the third line has compromised the overall benefits.

The Earl of Munster

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, given that at present vehicles temporarily imported from abroad (including the heaviest lorries) need only comply with the requirements of the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, they consider the legally required standard of efficiency of lorry brakes is adequate for conditions on the roads of the United Kingdom; and, if not, what they propose to do about it.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

The standards of braking efficiency applied to temporarily imported vehicles are the same as those that apply to United Kingdom registered vehicles. The Geneva Convention on Road Traffic does not prevent countries from applying their national in-service rules.