Drivers' Contest: New Rules Coming
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rHANGES in the regulations for the
Lorry Driver of the Year Competition are to be recommended to the national organizing committee at their next meeting at Coventry on February 10. They were discussed by a sub-committee last week.
The first eliminating round of the year is likely to be at Weymouth, where a new centre has been set up. It will be held on May 10. Entries should be sent to • Mrs. J. Hall, 36 Broad Meadow Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.
It will thus be possible to test early in the season the .wisdom of the changes in the regulations. The reclassification of articulated outfits has been proposed. One is by length, with two classes. The other is a combination of weight and length, with three classes. The national committee have to decide which to employ.
It is recommended that the overall width of a vehicle should include any overhanging load, but exclude any mirror more than 4 ft. 6 in. from the ground. The blacking-out of all windows giving a view to the rear is proposed to be re-introduced to meet criticisms that, in reversing, the driver of a platform lorry has an unfair advantage over others.
Observers on the road section will be allowed discretion to deduct fewer than 20 marks for each breach of the Highway Code. Specific penalties in the manceuvring test are to be laid down and fewer disqualifications are proposed.
It is to be made clear that the time element will be taken into account only in deciding ties.
Civilian drivers of Service vehicles are recommended for admission to the civilian vehicle classes. Territorial drivers in Service vehicles will be regarded as Service drivers. It is proposed to admit Service drivers of" Queen Mary" outfits.
Discussions on the final competition are in progress. It is possible that contestants will not be required to bring their own vehicles, but will drive lorries provided by the organizers.
BUS TYRE APPEAL ABANDONED
THE Crown has abandoned its appeal over the acquittal of Dundee Corporation and one of their drivers in a case involving allegedly defective tyres (The Commercial Motor, December 13, 1957). The appeal was lodged when the corporation were cleared by Dundee Sheriff Court of causing and permitting Peter Forbes Smart to use a bus with defective tyres. Smart was found not guilty of reckless or careless driving.