Although steps have been taken to promote road and vehicle safety standards for freight-bearing
on medium- and long-hauls, there remains much room for improvement. As noted above, APEC
commissioned a study in 2011 examining the issue of heavy vehicle safety and its impact on
supply-chain connectivity. The questionnaire responses indicated that the maximum permitted
speeds vary quite widely among member economies. Four surveyed economies related that
the maximum speed permitted for heavy vehicles was ≥ 80 km/h. Only Vietnam and the
Philippines had lower maximum permitted speeds. In addition, only Vietnam has different limits
for articulated and rigid trucks. Most economies , moreover, cited excessive vehicle speeds
as a major issue for heavy vehicle road safety in their economies. Although harmonizing
maximum permitted speeds for heavy vehicles bearing haulage across economies might be
difficult, economies might set different limits to distinguish between truck types.