TREADLE magistrates last week dismissed a case in which it
Page 39
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
was contended that water dripping from a gravel lorry constituted an insecure load. Harry Varner, Fir Cottage, Turnditch, Derbyshire, was summoned for driving a lorry with an insecure load, and the flulland Gravel Co., Ltd., were prosecuted for permitting the alleged offence.
Varner was stopped by two policemen in Cheadle and it was stated that water was running from the lorry. Mr. T. Bagley, prosecuting; submitted that the water which washed the gravel was part of the load and that which drained on to the road was a danger to other road users.
Varner said that the load was not dripping any more than usual. Before leaving the quarry, he had tipped the lorry to drain off water. This was a normal practice and loading inspectors passed the lorries as lit before they went on the road. The managing director of the company said that it was impossible to prevent water from seeping from the vehicles.
Mr. J. D. Cantley, defending, said that if the prosecution were correct, the washed-gravel industry would have to stop. He maintained that the load was secure and that the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations. 1951, did not cover dripping water.
"COMBINE DEMANDS OF 1934 ACT" .
A SUGGESTION that . the requiremcnts of various sections of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, be combined and that a single certificate, or licence, for passenger vehicles valid for seven years be issued, has been made by the Association of Municipal Corporations in a memorandum submitted to the Thesiger Committee.
The memorandum points to "great advances in design and construction " made since 1930. Vehicle examination, it states, should take place every two years, instead of annually. After the certification of a vehicle, there should be a limitation of the powers of certifying officers to ensure that no requirement would subsequently be imposed which involved structural alterations.
"EXTEND CONTROL OF DANGEROUS LOADS"
DRESSURE is being brought to bear
upon the Home Office by the Association of Municipal Corporations to extend control over the conveyance of dangerous substances. A report published by the A.M.C. suggests that regulations be made in respect of the transport of acetone, absolute alcohol, methyl alcohol, sulphuric ether, methylated ether, methylated spirit, wood naphtha and collodion.
The report adds that it is doubtful whether the 1935 regulations concerning the transport by road of bisulphide of carbon are being enforced.