Associations unite on truck testing standards23 August 2010

Four industry groups are lobbying for a review of the way in which truck testing is conducted.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA), the Freight Transport Association (FTA), the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association have sent a joint letter to the DfT (Department for Transport).

The four parties are "strongly urging" the abandonment of what they consider to be the flawed policy of the previous government and transfer HGV testing to the private sector, with standards monitored and enforced by an independent body.

"We have arrived at a common view that the policy developed by the previous government, of having VOSA staff testing trucks and of tests being conducted, as much as possible, at third party workshops, will add unnecessary cost and complexity and will obstruct cost-effective testing," states RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning.

The quartet also asserts that the industry must be given, and accept, overall responsibility for high standards of maintenance.

"Moving towards a system similar to that for cars and vans would, we believe, lead to a further strengthening rather than a diminution of safety standards," says Dunning.

Author
John Challen

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