New Provision for Heavy Vehicles : Speed Limiter to Save Lives

We still remember the terrible accidents   involving trucks and have killed several people. To make such accidents do not happen again on our roads or at least hoping to save as much as possible the lives of passengers, the government has mandated a cruise aboard all lorries over 3.5 tonnes, a practice already in force in the U.S. and Europe. 

Since July 1, all heavy vehicles (trucks, buses) must be equipped with a Speed Limit. From the outset, truck drivers, for example, complain about not having enough time to install it or getting used to. They also complain about the price and the fact that speed limiters reduce the volume of the vehicle in a climb. Finally, others find that the imposition of the retarder speed comes at the wrong time, while the sector runs almost in slow motion.

"The government has announced the commencement of the speed limiter since 2010. All those involved can not complain about not having enough time to equip their vehicles, "said David Clark, director of Stop n Trak, a provider of speed limiters based on straw and who shall also be installed . 

David Clark invites truckers and other owners and drivers not to stop on the price of the speed limiter (between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 at home and between Rs 22,000 and Rs 25,000 for others), but see below. "Since he did install limiters on its fleet of vehicles, the director of a large firm told me to make a profit of 15% per year on diesel costs. It is therefore for a firm that spends Rs 6 million in fuel! Anyone affected by this measure should appreciate the long-term benefits, "he says.

"Driving at reduced speed also means less wear tires, brake pads, etc.., and, well, save fuel. In sum, a trucker who invests, say, Rs 10,000 for the purchase of a speed limiter is far from lost. But above all, let us not forget, the speed limiter is essentially a 'Road Safety Device, which can save lives, "he adds. 

Installation 

If the U.S. and Europe, all new models vehicles are equipped with speed limiter, this is not necessarily the case in Japan, our main supplier of vehicles. "Maurice did not represent much in terms of imports, Japan did not equip the vehicle. Therefore, we must add this device ourselves ", explains David Clark. 

For reasons of ethics, the car dealer does not install itself on speed limiters in vehicles that it imports. This is delicate work entrusted to professionals in the field, including Stop n Trak. Is there sufficient labour and she is qualified for this operation? "Yes, we have competent staff in sufficient numbers to perform this task. When it comes to installing a limiter for a vehicle of a great brand, our technician is assisted by his representative. We recognize that adding one unit to an original construction can not be done any how, "says David Clark. 

Verification 

How to tell if a heavy weight over 3.5 tons has a limiter speed? Side of the police, they complain of not being able to see if it has been placed on trucks. The police have not yet been trained to undertake such a review. A police officer can not take the risk of tipping a truck cab to check the presence of a speed limiter for fear of damaging the windshield and be held accountable later. 

The National Transport Authority (NTA) immediately responded by declaring that it is for police officers to train police officers for this task, having already, it formed his men to perform this control. In terms of the scale of the cabin, the NTA insist that an officer may ask the driver of the truck to do it himself. And if he can not perform this maneuver? 

David Clark explains that we do not necessarily need to tilt the cab of a truck to carry out the verification. "During the inspection, the driver will require a police certificate in proper form provided by the vendor after installing the speed limiter.This document must always be present in the driver's cabin. " 

Cyril Appajalah, Transport Controller to the NTA

“The verification of the presence of the speed limiter is not as difficult as it is said " 

"It is unfortunate that some police officers, according to press reports, find it difficult to check if a heavy weight over 3.5 tons is equipped with a speed limiter as required by regulation. But I'm sure this is not the opinion of the entire police force. Most people with whom I had the opportunity to talk about it is that the installation of 'Speed Limit' on board the truck is a good thing.And I rejoice because it is a 'Road Safety Device' that can do good to everyone, drivers, passengers, pedestrians, "said Cyril Appajalah, Transport Controller at the National Transport Authority. 

"I find that there is no need to make an end ', either from the truck or some policemen. The government announced the imposition of the speed limiter since February 2010 and no one can now come and say he has not had sufficient time to calibrate his vehicle by proceeding with the installation of limiter in question. 

For this which is to conduct an audit of the speed limiter, the police should be able to do. If they ever have a doubt, they may still require the driver to produce any document submitted by the fitness center certifying that the unit was placed on the vehicle. It is as if to check the brakes or the wrong walk, except that this is a device a bit more technical. But it's not as difficult as it is claimed, "he adds. 

Good to know 

• The new vehicles are fitted with speed limiters. 
• Five types of speed limiters were chosen by the NTA for the old weights heavy that meet European standards. 
• Truck owners have to buy and to calibrate the speed limit or 70 km / h for buses and trucks, and between 40 km / h and 55 km / h for tugs . 
• The speed limiter keeps the vehicle if it exceeds the speed limit, but slows down considerably. "The limiter prevents fuel reaching the engine if the driver tends to accelerate too much," says NTA. 
• NTA: "Vendors who install a speed limiter on a vehicle shall affix seals to avoid risks of handling. " 
• The list of authorized distributors is displayed in the examination centers. Hotline for motorists: 800 1555. 
• The law provides for a fine not exceeding Rs 10,000 for every truck over 3.5 tonnes without a speed limiter. The Fitness Certificate may also be removed. Ditto if the seals were manipulated. 
• Studies show that 90% of accidents are caused by human error, intentional or not.