12.06.2009
RSA Launches Consultation on New Law to Reduce the Effect of Spray from HGVs in Wet Weather
The RSA has launched a consultation paper, today Wednesday 10th June 2009, seeking the views of owners and operators of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and those involved in the motor trade, to the introduction of new regulations that would require the fitting of Spray Suppression Systems by law, to all wheels on heavy goods vehicles.
The requirement would apply to HGVs with a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes and trailers and semi trailers with a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes. The RSA is concerned that spray from HGVs poses a serious risk to road users. The spray thrown up by HVGs travelling on wet roads reduces a driver’s or cyclist’s ability to see clearly, in the immediate area around these vehicles. The RSA believes that the requirement to fit spray suppression systems to these vehicles, by law, will reduce the amount of spray thrown up by these vehicles. Therefore it will improve visibility for both the driver of the heavy goods vehicle and for other road users in the area around these vehicles. Such an improvement in visibility will reduce the risk of a collision. The proposed regulations would apply to both new vehicles and to vehicles already in use on Irish roads. Essentially, the proposed regulations would require: - effective spray suppression systems to be fitted to new vehicles being registered for the first time from 1 January 2010. - effective spray suppression systems to be retrofitted to heavy goods vehicles registered, and relevant trailers licensed, before 1 January 2010, irrespective of age, on a phased basis by 1 January 2012. The document ‘Consultation on Proposed Regulations for the Compulsory fitment of Spray Suppression Systems to Certain Goods Vehicles and Their Trailers’ is available to download here Spray Suppression Consultation Document. Submissions on the consultation process should be sent to the following address no later than Friday 24th July 2009; Spray Suppression Consultation
Vehicle Standards Section
Road Safety Authority
Moy Valley Business Park
Ballina
Co. Mayo Alternatively, comments can be submitted via email to spraysuppressionconsultation@rsa.ie
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