DOT URGES OPERATORS TO ADOPT AN ADAPTOR
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by Miles Brignall 4I1 The Department of Transport is pushing its Adopt an Adaptor campaign which is designed to persuade truck operators to fit an adaptor to older trailer couplings to make sure they are compatible with modern tractive units (CM 410 January).
The poster and leaflet campaign comes as the DOT is consulting the industry with a view to changing the Construction & Use Regulations, making it illegal not to fit a special adaptor to the air lines of a trailer using British Standard "contact type" couplings.
The move follows a number of fatal accidents, the result of tractive units with self-sealing systems having been coupled up to trailers usually operated by the old "tap" air systems that fail to pass compressed air on to the trailer braking system. The result is the trailer has no braking.
the service line to the trailer, will be checked as part of the annual test. Its absence will result in a test failure when the C&U changes become law; probably in April.
Anyone wanting more information on the fitting of adaptors or a copy of the leaflet (pictured), should contact their local VI testing station.