BRIEFING ON WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS
MOBILITY
SAFETY ENVIRONMENT
Executive Summary On 15 April 2013, the European Commission published amendments to Directive 96/53/EC, which concerns the maximum authorised dimensions and weights for trucks and buses. The amendments include increasing weight and measurement allowances for vehicles, in order to make them safer and more environmentally friendly, as well as setting out inspection procedures to ensure harmonisation of inspection methods across the EU. The Commission’s aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2050, as compared to 1990 levels. The FIA fully supports the provisions to improve energy efficiency and driver visibility; yet other aspects of the proposal require a more pragmatic approach:
Intermodal transport: FIA Region I supports the provisions increasing the length by 15 cm for vehicles transporting 45‐foot (13.7 meters) containers as this small increase does not constitute an additional risk to road safety. However, the FIA wishes to express its concern on the circulation of vehicles of more than 18.9 meters and heavier than 44 tons.
Cross‐border use of longer vehicles: FIA Region I calls for more monitoring of the safety impact of longer vehicles and a more in‐depth debate on the different aspects around this proposal.
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