A leading member of the European Parliament is urging that vans should be restricted to 75mph by fitting them with compulsory limiters. Martin Callanan would like to see the new law in force across the EU by 2015 although it is not something supported by all of his colleagues. The MEP’s suggestion is contained in a 17-page draft report on van CO2 emissions he has authored for the parliament’s environment committee.
Such a step would restrict light commercials to travelling at slightly above the national UK speed limit so in theory the impact on drivers would be modest. In practice, however, it would be considerable given how many regrettably break the limit, and of course the law, regularly on dual carriageways and motorways.
More and more operators are already voluntarily specifying speed limiters on their vehicles, says Gerry Clarke, UK director of Fiat Professional, Fiat’s light commercial operation. “We can offer a variety of ways of tweaking the engine management system to this end that cannot be over-ridden by the driver,” he says.
Clearly safety is a key reason for specifying such devices, says Clarke. Another reason, however, is the need to cut fuel consumption. The use of speed limiters is also likely to resort in drivers incurring fewer speeding fines.
The proposals made by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee would increase risk on the roads according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders: “Such devices… would result in an increase of lane changes for passing such vehicles and increased risk for passenger cars, reduction in traffic flow and increased risk of accidents.”
Environment committee members are set to vote on measures to cut van CO2 outputs in September, with penalties in store for manufacturers whose products fail to meet whatever limits are agreed.
The rules governing the operation of light commercials look set to become tighter over the next few years. Among measures being advocated aside from speed limiters are the lowering of the O licensing threshold from 3.5 to 2.8 tonnes and making Class 7 light commercials, ie those grossing at from 3.0 to 3.5 tonnes, subject to an annual MoT from their date of first registration.
Legislators may of course decide not to implement some of these measures if van operators improve standards of their own accord. Home delivery specialist Hermes, for example, has introduced a range of safe-driving measures through its in-house driving school that resulted in a 109 per cent improvement in the number of accident-free days per vehicle in the year to April.
In another initiative, the Freight Transport Association has introduced the Van Excellence Code, a code of conduct for light commercial operators covering everything from maintenance to towing. It’s supported by a host of leading van fleets, including DHL and the Royal Mail.
