TRTA objects to police permit rule in longer-artics proposals
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TFIE TRTA this week said that it welcomes the Minister of Transport's proposals to increase the permitted length of articulated vehicles to 15 metres—but hopes that it will not be too long before the Ministry can make the related increase in gross weight to 38 tons.
The Association also welcomes the Ministry's proposals to increase the permitted length of draw-bar trailers and feels that the safeguards proposed in this connection are entirely reasonable and realistic. The Association states, however, in its official comments on the proposals, that it cannot accept the Ministry's suggestions on marker boards and police notification.
Although improvement is called for in the marking of rear projections, the TRTA feels that the Ministry's proposals are unduly restrictive as they would mean that statutory end marker boards would be required on all rear projections over 3 ft. 6 in. If enacted this would mean the regulations embracing many aspects of road transport not currently involved including, the Association presumes, the carriage of projecting loads by private individuals on private cars, dual-purpose vehicles and light vans.
In addition commercial vehicle operators would be faced with the purchase of marker boards for tens of thousands of loads which are not currently involved and the TRTA seriously doubts whether the available road safety evidence justifies this expenditure.
A limit of 6 ft. would be acceptable, says the TRTA, as it would eliminate most of the likely private individual transport problems and would have the added advantage of reconciling the marker board requirements for front and rear projections. The Association would also like to see simplified constructional requirements for marker boards.
It can see no justification for the proposal to make obligatory, police notification of any movement of an articulated vehicle, the length of which, including any load overhang, exceeds 50 ft., and does not feel that it is based on any proven road safety factors.
At-tics, it stresses, are extensively used for the carriage of long loads of a type which cannot be broken down for transit and in circumstances when alternative means of transport are not usually practicable.
The current 60 ft. limit was agreed after a lot of research in 1962.