asked the Minister for the Environment whether he proposes to introduce any regulations to improve standards of safety on the public roads by insisting that all vehicles, particularly heavy commercial vehicles, have adequate mudflaps at the rear of their wheels; and if he intends to introduce or has introduced any standards or regulations in this respect, which may be enforced at present.
Written Answers. - Road Safety.
100.
Current regulations require that every vehicle and every trailer attached to a vehicle must be equipped with wings or similar devices, to catch, as far as is practicable, mud or water thrown up by the rotation of wheels, unless adequate protection is afforded by the body of the vehicle. Enforcement of the existing regulations is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána. Wings and mudflaps are checked as part of the compulsory annual roadworthiness test for heavy goods vehicles, buses and ambulances.
On 12 August 1987, the EC Commission submitted a draft Directive to the Council of Ministers for the internal market proposing the mandatory fitting of more sophisticated spray suppression devices to new heavy goods vehicles and trailers with effect from 1 May 1989. Reservations have been expressed about the standards for spray suppression devices specified in the draft EC Directive and the EC propose to establish an expert group to examine the draft and make recommendations. At present the implications of this draft directive are being considered in my Department. I propose to seek the views of interested road haulage, industrial, motoring and safety organisations about the costs and benefits of the EC draft directive and the operative date.