European Parliament votes to back wheel safety campaign

The European Parliament (EP) has voted to support the testing of commercial vehicle wheels fitted onto non-standard axles as part of the EU Roadworthiness Package, following an amendment endorsed by the UK Department for Transport.

The amendment to proposed legislation on roadworthiness tests by the European Commission, tabled by Transport Committee chair and North West England MEP Brian Simpson, reads: “Substandard wheels fitted onto non-standard axles should be treated as a critical safety item and should therefore be included in roadworthiness testing.”

Justifying the amendment, the EP referred to: “serious liability and safety concerns associated with substandard or damaged wheels, whereby wheels are fitted onto non-standard axles.”

It said: “The testing of wheels not in conformity with the wheel hub should be treated as a safety critical item and therefore included in the list of items to be checked during roadworthiness testing.”

The move has been welcomed by Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD), which has led a safety campaign on the issue culminating in the company’s managing director, John Ellis (pictured), presenting expert testimony to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN).

MWSD claims that non-circumferential hubs, “which give only partial contact between axle and wheel, are causing untested load stresses which cause cracks and half life expectancy of the wheel. “

The company has long called for wheels to be identified as safety-critical, and has lobbied for closer cooperation with original equipment manufacturers; wheel and axle testing to European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO) standards; and the implementation of a periodic ten-point check plan for wheels.

Negotiations will now take place between the EP and the co-legislating European Council, which has not supported the wording, to finalise the legislative text, with further details due towards the end of 2013.

John Ellis said: “This is hugely welcome news, and a significant step forwards in promoting wheel safety and the issues being created by non-circumferential hubs.  We were also very pleased to see the DfT support the amendment, who we have been working closely with since the outset of the campaign in early 2010.

“That said there is still plenty of work to be done, and we will continue to work closely with Brian Simpson, the DfT, Paul Goggins (Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East) and the North West Automotive Alliance (NWAA), all of whom we thank for their continuing support, in getting tighter regulations ratified.”

Brian Simpson added: “This subject is very close to my heart and I will continue to do all I possibly can to reach an agreement with the Council and see the amendment in law.  This change is not designed to place extra financial burden on the CV sector, but create far safer practices for what is a safety critical item.”