PASSED: International Road Safety

[New Rockport]

Resolution 34, International Transport Safety, sets safety standards for international aviation, shipping, and rail transport. However, it does not apply to international road transport. Here is the current draft proposal that would extend the International Transport Safety Committee's authority to regulate the safety of international commercial road vehicles.

UPDATE: The proposal has attained quorum. Here is the current version:

The World Assembly,

AWARE that commercial road vehicles carry cargo and passengers across international borders;

CONCERNED for the safety of operators and passengers of commercial road vehicles that travel internationally, along with those who share the roads with them; and

FURTHER CONCERNED that accidents involving commercial road vehicles can cause an extreme hazard to the safety of the passengers, operators, and cargoes of all road vehicles involved in the accidents, especially considering the relatively large size and weight of most commercial vehicles and their cargoes;

HEREBY

DEFINES "international commercial road vehicle" as a conveyance including and not limited to a truck, a trailer, or a motor coach, that
(a) is driven over public highways across one or more internationally recognized borders between member states, has a point of origin and a destination in two different member states, or both, and
(b) is used to transport freight or is used to transport ten or more passengers or both;

AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate regulations related to the safety of international commercial road vehicles;

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate training and competency standards for individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles;

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate regulations related to the safety of roads and related infrastructure at points where roads cross international borders at which one or more member states operate customs, immigration, or other border checkpoints;

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to recommend safety standards for domestic roads and related infrastructure;

REQUIRES the International Transport Safety Committee to assure that compliance with regulations promulgated pursuant to this resolution is feasible and that the costs of compliance with said regulations are justified by the benefits that result from them;

FURTHER REQUIRES the International Transport Safety Committee to assure that regulations promulgated pursuant to this resolution result in reasonable improvements to traffic safety;

REQUIRES owners of international commercial road vehicles to assure that their vehicles meet ITSC safety standards;

REQUIRES individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles to meet ITSC training and competency standards;

REQUIRES owners of bridges and tunnels that cross internationally recognized borders to assure that said bridges and tunnels meet ITSC standards;

REQUIRES governments that operate customs, immigration, or other border checkpoints to assure that signage, roads, gates, customs plazas, sidewalks, curbs, and streetlamps at those checkpoints meet ITSC standards;

STRONGLY URGES governments in member states to assure that their domestic roads and related infrastructure meet or exceed ITSC standards; and

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet higher safety standards than those required by the ITSC, unless those higher safety standards also apply to domestic motor carriers.

International Commercial Road Vehicle Safety
Category: Free Trade, Strength: Mild

The World Assembly,

AWARE that commercial road vehicles carry cargo and passengers across international borders;

CONCERNED for the safety of operators and passengers of commercial road vehicles that travel internationally, along with those who share the roads with them; and

FURTHER CONCERNED that accidents involving commercial road vehicles can cause an extreme hazard to the safety of the passengers, operators, and cargoes of all road vehicles involved in the accidents, especially considering the relatively large size and weight of most commercial vehicles and their cargoes;

HEREBY

DEFINES "international commercial road vehicle" as a conveyance including and not limited to a truck, a trailer, or a motor coach, that
(a) is driven over public highways across one or more internationally recognized borders between member states, and
(b) is designed to transport freight or is designed to transport nine or more passengers, or both;

AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate regulations related to the safety of international commercial road vehicles;

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate training and competency standards for individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles;

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate regulations related to the safety of roads and related infrastructure at points where roads cross international borders at which one or more member states operate customs, immigration, or other border checkpoints;

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to recommend safety standards for domestic roads and related infrastructure;

REQUIRES the International Transport Safety Committee to assure that compliance with regulations promulgated pursuant to this resolution is feasible and that the costs of compliance with said regulations are justified by the benefits that result from them;

FURTHER REQUIRES the International Transport Safety Committee to assure that regulations promulgated pursuant to this resolution result in reasonable improvements to traffic safety;

REQUIRES owners of international commercial road vehicles to assure that their vehicles meet ITSC safety standards;

REQUIRES individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles to meet ITSC training and competency standards;

REQUIRES owners of bridges and tunnels that cross internationally recognized borders to assure that said bridges and tunnels meet ITSC standards;

REQUIRES governments that operate customs, immigration, or other border checkpoints to assure that signage, roads, gates, customs plazas, sidewalks, curbs, and streetlamps at those checkpoints meet ITSC standards;

STRONGLY URGES governments in member states to assure that their domestic roads and related infrastructure meet or exceed ITSC standards; and

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet higher safety standards than those required by the ITSC, unless those higher safety standards also apply to domestic motor carriers.

Here is a copy showing changes from the original draft. Deleted text is stricken and added text is underlined.

International Commercial Road Vehicle Safety
Category: Free Trade, Strength: Mild

The World Assembly,

AWARE that commercial road vehicles carry cargo and passengers across international borders,

CONCERNED for the safety of operators and passengers of commercial road vehicles that travel internationally, along with those who share the roads with them, and

FINDING that accidents involving commercial road vehicles cause an extreme hazard to national populations,

FURTHER CONCERNED that accidents involving commercial road vehicles can cause an extreme hazard to the safety of the passengers, operators, and cargoes of all road vehicles involved in the accidents, especially considering the relatively large size and weight of most commercial vehicles and their cargoes,

HEREBY

DEFINES "international commercial road vehicles" as wheeled conveyances including and not limited to trucks, trailers, and motor coaches that
(a) are driven across internationally recognized borders between member states, and
(b) are operated by for-profit entities that transport goods, passengers, or both,

DEFINES "international commercial road vehicle" as a wheeled conveyance including and but not limited to a truck, a trailer, or a motor coach, that
(a) is driven over public highways across one or more internationally recognized borders between member states,[u] and
(b) has a point of origin and a destination in two different states, and
(b) is designed to transport freight or is designed to transport nine or more passengers, or both,
(c) is operated by one or more for-profit entities that transport goods, passengers, or both,[/u]

AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate regulations related to the safety of international commercial road vehicles,

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate training and competency standards for individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles,

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate regulations related to the safety of roads and related infrastructure at international road border crossings points where roads cross international borders at which one or more member states operate customs, immigration, or other border checkpoints,

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to recommend safety standards for domestic roads and related infrastructure,

REQUIRES the International Transport Safety Committee to assure that compliance with regulations promulgated pursuant to this resolution is feasible and that the costs of compliance with said regulations are justified by the benefits that result from them,

FURTHER REQUIRES the International Transport Safety Committee to assure that regulations promulgated pursuant to this resolution result in reasonable improvements to traffic safety;

REQUIRES international commercial road vehicles, individuals who operate and maintain international commercial road vehicles, and infrastructure at international border crossings to comply with ITSC regulations,

REQUIRES owners of international commercial road vehicles to assure that their vehicles meet ITSC safety standards,

REQUIRES individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles to meet ITSC training and competency standards,

REQUIRES owners of bridges and tunnels that cross internationally recognized borders to assure that said bridges and tunnels meet ITSC standards,

STRONGLY URGES governments in member states to assure that their domestic roads and related infrastructure comply with meet or exceed ITSC standards, and

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet higher safety standards other than those required by the ITSC, unless those higher safety standards also apply to domestic motor carriers.

Any comments, questions, or suggested improvements would be much appreciated.

-Silvana Rossi
Ambassador to the World Assembly
Federal Republic of New Rockport

[Tsukasa-chan]

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet safety standards other than those required by the ITSC.

Why have you decided to include this article? If a nation has stricter road standards than what the ITSC mandates, isn't it the responsibility for the businesses involved to ensure that their vehicles comply with that nation's laws as well?

Other than that, I see no obvious flaws in the resolution.

Rin 4
International Ambassador

[Enn]

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet safety standards other than those required by the ITSC.

Perhaps if it was changed to "less than those required by the ITSC", that might help allay concerns?

[West Newmanistan]

Simply remove the last section entirely. There's no reason why a nation could not have stricter guidelines then what the ITSC would demand.

Your proposal is probably worthy of going to the floor for a vote, in my opinion, but I don't know that once there, it would get my approval.

[New Rockport]

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet safety standards other than those required by the ITSC.

Why have you decided to include this article? If a nation has stricter road standards than what the ITSC mandates, isn't it the responsibility for the businesses involved to ensure that their vehicles comply with that nation's laws as well?

The intent was to have the same effect as this section of Resolution 34:

7) PROHIBITS nations from barring WA member state commercial transports in compliance with ITSC regulations from operating in their airspace, territory or territorial waters, or preventing such from docking, landing, or otherwise embarking/disembarking passengers & loading/unloading freight,

Perhaps if it was changed to "less than those required by the ITSC", that might help allay concerns?

There is already a section that requires "...international commercial road vehicles, individuals who operate and maintain international road vehicles, and infrastructure at international border crossings to comply with ITSC regulations."

Simply remove the last section entirely.

Without the last section, this proposal would not qualify for the free trade category.

There's no reason why a nation could not have stricter guidelines then what the ITSC would demand.

Nothing in this proposal would prohibit a nation from having stricter guidelines for its own domestic motor carriers.

-Silvana Rossi
Ambassador to the World Assembly
Federal Republic of New Rockport

[Enn]

When it comes specifically to road vehicles, as distinct to all other vehicles, I think there may well be cause for a nation to insist on any vehicle meeting its own standards, when those standards are higher than those imposed by the ITSC.

This is because those vehicles will be using the same roads as domestic transport. The same streets, highways, byways, motorways etc. They will be in the same place as domestic vehicles. While one could argue that it is the same airways and/or territorial waters, the fact remains that roadways are far more limited. A breakdown on the Lantar Highway causes major problems for our main export industry, the Ennish Shandy.

Stephanie Fulton,
WA Ambassador for Enn

[West Newmanistan]

Without the last section, this proposal would not qualify for the free trade category.

There's no reason why a nation could not have stricter guidelines then what the ITSC would demand.

Nothing in this proposal would prohibit a nation from having stricter guidelines for its own domestic motor carriers.

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet safety standards other than those required by the ITSC.


Yes it does. This is saying that a nation cannot having something in addition to what is required to the ITSC. If my nation wanted to go further then what ITSC officials wanted to in order to ensure safety, this is telling me that I cannot. I can only meet the "safety standards that are required". I am prohibited from adding to it.

[New Rockport]

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet safety standards other than those required by the ITSC.


Yes it does. This is saying that a nation cannot having something in addition to what is required to the ITSC. If my nation wanted to go further then what ITSC officials wanted to in order to ensure safety, this is telling me that I cannot. I can only meet the "safety standards that are required". I am prohibited from adding to it.

I think your excellency missed this part, from the above quoted section:

...from other member states...

When it comes specifically to road vehicles, as distinct to all other vehicles, I think there may well be cause for a nation to insist on any vehicle meeting its own standards, when those standards are higher than those imposed by the ITSC.

This is because those vehicles will be using the same roads as domestic transport. The same streets, highways, byways, motorways etc. They will be in the same place as domestic vehicles. While one could argue that it is the same airways and/or territorial waters, the fact remains that roadways are far more limited. A breakdown on the Lantar Highway causes major problems for our main export industry, the Ennish Shandy.

Yes, this seems to be a valid distinction. How about replacing the offending section with the following:

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet higher safety standards than those required by the ITSC, unless those higher safety standards also apply to domestic motor carriers.

This would allow member states to set higher safety standards, but prohibit them from using those higher standards to discriminate against foreign motor carriers.

-Silvana Rossi
Ambassador to the World Assembly

[Charlotte Ryberg]

Honoured ambassador, it seems that the whole draft seems to revolve around a committee. Under proposal rules, establishing a committee is allowed, but not the only thing a resolution should do.

If the honoured ambassador to New Rockport believes that this resolution is crucial to improve safety, then the key factor to improving the safety of such is in fact the insurance that commercial vehicles are roadworthy, and would need to be put into national legislation where appropriate.

I think Resolution GA#7, section 8 has something in relation to motor vehicles. This may be a resolution that may need to be considered when drafting and to avoid duplication.

[Bears Armed]

Honoured ambassador, it seems that the whole draft seems to revolve around a committee. Under proposal rules, establishing a committee is allowed, but not the only thing a resolution should do.

Ahem. Please note the sections that I've placed in 'bold' in the following copy of the text_

International Commercial Road Vehicle Safety
Category: Free Trade, Strength: Mild


The World Assembly,

AWARE that commercial road vehicles carry cargo and passengers across international borders,

CONCERNED for the safety of operators and passengers of commercial road vehicles that travel internationally, along with those who share the roads with them, and

FINDING that accidents involving commercial road vehicles cause an extreme hazard to national populations,

HEREBY

DEFINES "international commercial road vehicles" as wheeled conveyances including and not limited to trucks, trailers, and motor coaches that
(a) are driven across international borders, and
(b) are operated by for-profit entities that transport goods, passengers, or both,

AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate regulations related to the safety of international commercial road vehicles,

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate training and competency standards for individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles,

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate regulations related to the safety of infrastructure at international road border crossings,

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to recommend safety standards for domestic roads and related infrastructure,

REQUIRES the International Transport Safety Committee to assure that compliance with regulations promulgated pursuant to this resolution is feasible and that the costs of compliance with said regulations are justified by the benefits that result from them,

REQUIRES international commercial road vehicles, individuals who operate and maintain international road vehicles, and infrastructure at international border crossings to comply with ITSC regulations,

STRONGLY URGES governments in member states to assure that their domestic roads and related infrastructure comply with ITSC standards, and

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet safety standards other than those required by the ITSC.

That's PLENTY of content that applies to more than the committee, and I think that it should easily be enough for legality.

[Grays Harbor]

Oddly enough, We believe that the Kingdom could support this measure.

[Tanaara]

PROHIBITS governments in member states from requiring international commercial road vehicles and operators from other member states to meet safety standards other than those required by the ITSC

.

"I can see many good things about this proposal, but there is one great problem with it. IF you are going to drive on my roads, in my nation, then you must meet my nations safety requirements. And mine may well be stricter than the ITSC and to prohibit mine from being stricter is unfair to my domestic carriers. To require me to change my safety standards to match the ITSC means that I will simply refuse to allow such carriers across my borders."

"I refuse to have some rolling refuse on my roads simply because it is in complaince with the ITSC."

[New Rockport]

Based upon the objections of the delegations from Tsukasa-chan, Enn, West Newmanistan, and Tanaara, the final clause has been amended to allow states to set higher standards than those set by the ITSC, so long as those standards are not applied discriminatorily against foreign motor carriers. The new language appears in the original post.

-Silvana Rossi
Ambassador to the World Assembly
Federal Republic of New Rockport

[Tanaara]

"Ah, excellent. For what it's worth, the proposal has my approval. And if I could I'd vote for it." And considering many and sundry things, that was indeed high praise from the UnDelegate.

"I will so advise the Fatal Terrain region's WA member, The Golden Simatar." The UnDelegate smiled evilly. "This should give him a wholesale heart attack."

[Tsukasa-chan]

After consultation with the appropriate intelligences, I am pleased to announce my support of the proposal.

Rin 4
International Ambassador

In conjunction with the Matter//Transport and Numbers//Intec metagroups.

[Serrland]

Perhaps you could better define what exactly the ITSC is? What powers does it have? What process does it use to make decisions? How are members appointed/selected?

Big Brother could be watching the roads, for all I know.

Serrland would be strongly behind this proposed resolution if the ITSC is more clearly defined.

[New Rockport]

Perhaps you could better define what exactly the ITSC is? What powers does it have? What process does it use to make decisions?

The ITSC was established by Resolution 34, which is available here. It already has authority to set safety regulations for international air, sea, and rail transport. This draft proposal would basically extend that authority to international trucks and buses.

How are members appointed/selected?

Unfortunately, it would be illegal to state that in a resolution. Resolutions can create committees, but cannot state who serves on them or how they are selected.

Big Brother could be watching the roads, for all I know.

Under this proposal, the ITSC's authority over roads and related infrastructure would extend only to roads at international border crossings. Presumably these points are already monitored by national customs officers. The ITSC would not have the power to mandate surveillance of roads within countries.

Serrland would be strongly behind this proposed resolution if the ITSC is more clearly defined.

If there are any specific additional limitations on the ITSC's authority that would satisfy your reservations, please let me know.

-Silvana Rossi
Ambassador to the World Assembly
Federal Republic of New Rockport

[Serrland]

Does ITSC jurisdiction extend to diplomatic vehicles crossing over borders? Does it apply to emergency response vehicles?

Thank you for the clarification, unless something drastic changes Serrland will be voting yes, if it comes to a vote.

[New Rockport]

Does ITSC jurisdiction extend to diplomatic vehicles crossing over borders? Does it apply to emergency response vehicles?

It would apply to vehicles operated by for-profit entities. If a government contracts its diplomatic transport or emergency services to for-profit entities, then the ITSC regulations would apply to them. If this is a problem, I can add a clause to exempt vehicles operated on behalf of governments.

Thank you for the clarification, unless something drastic changes Serrland will be voting yes, if it comes to a vote.

Thank you!

[West Newmanistan]

Based upon the objections of the delegations from Tsukasa-chan, Enn, West Newmanistan, and Tanaara, the final clause has been amended to allow states to set higher standards than those set by the ITSC, so long as those standards are not applied discriminatorily against foreign motor carriers. The new language appears in the original post.

-Silvana Rossi
Ambassador to the World Assembly
Federal Republic of New Rockport

Very good. You will have my support as a delegate once submitted.

[Serrland]

It would apply to vehicles operated by for-profit entities. If a government contracts its diplomatic transport or emergency services to for-profit entities, then the ITSC regulations would apply to them. If this is a problem, I can add a clause to exempt vehicles operated on behalf of governments.

I would very much appreciate an exemption for emergency vehicles acting on behalf of a government. I would recommend it being specifically for emergency vehicles, as a blanket exemption for vehicles operated on behalf of a government could clear the way for, for example, a freight convoy of trucks being exempted because the company is a government contractor.

[Grays Harbor]

It would apply to vehicles operated by for-profit entities. If a government contracts its diplomatic transport or emergency services to for-profit entities, then the ITSC regulations would apply to them. If this is a problem, I can add a clause to exempt vehicles operated on behalf of governments.

I would very much appreciate an exemption for emergency vehicles acting on behalf of a government. I would recommend it being specifically for emergency vehicles, as a blanket exemption for vehicles operated on behalf of a government could clear the way for, for example, a freight convoy of trucks being exempted because the company is a government contractor.

Rydym yn drysu ynglŷn â pham fod y byddech am eithriad ar gyfer cerbydau brys? Mae'n ein credu y dylai cerbydau argyfwng yn cael eu cynnal i safon llawer uwch o ddiogelwch na'r safon cerbydau masnachol, yn bennaf oherwydd natur eu defnydd.

WA Translation: Service

We are confused as to why you would want an exemption for emergency vehicles? It is our thought that emergency vehicles should be held to a much higher standard of safety than standard commercial vehicles, primarily because of the nature of their usage.

[Serrland]

We are confused as to why you would want an exemption for emergency vehicles? It is our thought that emergency vehicles should be held to a much higher standard of safety than standard commercial vehicles, primarily because of the nature of their usage.

We would like an exemption for emergency vehicles from the following clause

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate training and competency standards for individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles,

An ambulance service is best fit to determine it's own "competency standards" for it's employees. However, it is a small matter, and the resolution is entirely agreeable even without said exemption.

[New Rockport]

We are confused as to why you would want an exemption for emergency vehicles? It is our thought that emergency vehicles should be held to a much higher standard of safety than standard commercial vehicles, primarily because of the nature of their usage.

We would like an exemption for emergency vehicles from the following clause

FURTHER AUTHORIZES the International Transport Safety Committee to promulgate training and competency standards for individuals who operate or maintain international commercial road vehicles,

An ambulance service is best fit to determine it's own "competency standards" for it's employees. However, it is a small matter, and the resolution is entirely agreeable even without said exemption.

Is your excellency asking for an exemption for emergency vehicles operated by private contractors on behalf of governments, vehicles operated by private emergency service companies, or both?

[Serrland]

Both, preferably. But as I said earlier, Serrland would support this resolution regardless of whether or not any provision was made regarding emergency vehicles.