Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016
550. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the safety requirements in place for the many different road trailers on roads to ensure their roadworthiness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31472/16]
View answerTrailers are classified according to their Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) which includes the weight of the trailer and the maximum manufacturer specified load it can carry. Under current road traffic regulations it is the responsibility of vehicle owners to ensure that both the towing vehicle and trailer are mechanically sound, fit for purpose, and compliant with road traffic legislation.
The categories of vehicles subject to roadworthiness testing and the frequency of such tests are governed by EC Directive 2009/40/EC on the roadworthiness testing of motor vehicles and their trailers. Under this Directive, category O1 and O2 trailers (with a DGVW of between 750kg to 3,500kg) are exempt from annual roadworthiness testing. However, since October 2012, O1 and O2 trailers must be type approved before they are sold thus ensuring that they are manufactured to a recognised and approved safety standard.
Heavy category O3 and O4 trailers (DGVW from 3,500kg to in excess of 10,000kg) are subject to Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT). The CVRT is only one component of the preventative measures required to ensure safer vehicles on our roads. To ensure that vehicles are kept in a safe and roadworthy condition throughout their lifetime it is essential that they are regularly maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers guidelines. Commercial vehicle operators are statutorily obliged to have appropriate maintenance and repair systems in place, conduct daily walk around checks of their vehicles and to make an annual declaration on their maintenance to the Road Safety Authority.
