Regulations Concerning
Page 49
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SPECIAL VEHICLES
Details of the Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) Order (No. 1), 1931, Dated January 14th, 1931
REGULATIONS regarding the employment of special• types of vehicle on the roads were iSsiied a few days ago by the Minister of Transport, and they concern the use of certain vehicles and trailera of special types -Which are constructed either. for particular purposes or for triaL
The 'following digest gives the correct numbering of the clauses. One or two, which .are not considered of direct interest to our readers; haSe been omitted.
2.." Abnormal indivisible load " is one which (a) cannot, without undue expense or risk, be divided into two or more loads, (b) cannot be carried by a -vehicle or trailer complying with the requirements of the 1931 constructional Regulations.
Engineering plant" is movable plant or equipment not complying in all respects with the Regulations and which is either (a a vehicle or trailer for use in connection with engineering operations and used on a road only during transit or when engaged in such operations, and carries no load except its necessary equipment, or (b) a trailer (other than one used for road material) used in the construction, maintenance and repair of roads, or a living-van drawn by a road roller.
8. The Minister authorises the use of vehicles and trailers specially designed and constructed, and employed only, except as provided in paragraph 5, for abnormal indivisible loads although they do not comply in all respects with the 1931 Regulations, subject to the conditions contained in paragraphs 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, also to the following conditions :(a) in respect of vehicles, all Regulations, other than 7, 31, 23, 35, 36, 58; 59 and 61, shall apply ; (b) with trailers, all Regulations, other than 5, 6, 7, 10, 52, 54, 55, 67, 58, 60 and 61 of the 1931 Regulations, shall apply ; (c) overall width of such a vehicle shall not exceed 9 ft., and of a trailer
9 ft., except where the greater width is necessary for particular loads ; (d) (1) such motor vehicle must be equipped with pneumatic or soft tyres, (ii) all trailer wheels without pneumatic or soft tyres must have a smooth tread at least 10 ins, wide, the edges being radiused to not less than -1. in. and not more than 1 in. All wheels of such trailers constructed after January 15th. 1931, and from January 1st, 1940, all wheels of every such trailer, must have pneumatic or soft tyres ; (e) the total weight of wheels in line transversely must not exceed 15 cwt. per in. width of tyre ; (f) a trailer with more than four wheels in contact with the road must now be constructed so that under any condition of loading, when it is at rest on the level, all wheels must be In contact with the road, and if any wheel be supported 3 ins, above the level surface, the weight of any wheel shall ,not be increased by more than 10 per cent.; (g) every vehicle must have an efficient braking system acting upon not less than half the total number of wheels.
4. The Minister authorises the use on roads of engineering plant subject to the conditions contained in paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, also to the following conditions:(a) in the case of a motor vehicle, Regulations 6, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 62, 63, 64, 67, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 77 shall apply ; (b) with a trailer, 6, 62, 63, 64, 69 and 74 shall apply ; (c) wheels without pneumatic or soft tyres must he radiused as in 3 d (ii) ; (d) if using tracks (i) the parts coming into contact with the road must be flat and have a minimum width of in., (ii) except with a track-laying road roller the area of each track in contact with the road must be not less than 36 sq. ins, for each ton of total weight ; (e) unless a vehicle has a reversible steam engine it must have an efficient brake; (f) when a trailer is not drawn by a locontotive, suitable scotches or other devices must be provided to hold the vehicle, unless an efficient brake be fitted.
5. Not more than one abnormal indivisible load may be carried at one time, unless the weight transmitted to the road does not exceed those prescribed in the Regulations, when it will be permissible to carry more than one such load of the same character, or other articles of a similar character, in addition to the abnormal load.
6. The speed is limited to that laid down for heavy locomotives in the first schedule of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.
7. No engineering plant is permitted to draw a trailer.
S. If the width of the vehicle exceeds 8 ft., at least four persons, inclusive of the driver or drivers, must be in attendance. Where the vehicle is stationary or engaged in engineering operations, only one person in addition to the driver or drivers is required.
9. If the vehicle or load exceeds 8 ft. in width, the owner must give four clear days' notice to the chief officer of police of every district through which the vehicle will pass. Such notice must specify the type of vehicle, nature, dimensions and weight of load, route to be followed and time of journey, unless, in special cases, the chief officer of the police dispenses with such requirements. The owner must carry out the journey in accordance with the particulars given by him, subject to any variation which he may be directed to make by the police.
10. The owner of a vehicle -weighing, unladen, over two tons must give four .clear days' notice to every highway authority and bridge authority responsible for any road or bridge over which the vehicle will pass. Here, again, the same particulars must be given unless the requirements be dispensed with by the authorities concerned. Every such notice must contain an indemnity to the authority in respect of any damage caused to roads or bridges. No such indemnity shall te enforced after a period of 12 months from the date when the vehicle was last so used under the notice.
11. The Interpretation Act, 1889, applies for the purpose a this Order, as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.