HC Deb 12 November 1987 vol 122 cc249-50W
Mr. Speed

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress is being made towards making mandatory the fitting of anti-lock braking systems to articulated lorries.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Agreement was reached last week in the European Community for an amendment to the braking directive enabling member states to require anti-lock brakes on the following categories of heavy vehicle:

  • Towing vehicles over 16 tonnes
  • Trailers over 10 tonnes
  • Coaches over 12 tonnes

This means that all articulated lorries with a total gross weight of more than 26 tonnes would have to be equipped. The amended directive will enable member states to impose the requirements from I October 1989 to new type approvals and to all new vehicles registered from I October 1991. We shall be consulting in the new year on draft regulations to apply the requirements in this country.