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Traffic Act Amendments

13th January 1933
Page 49
Page 49, 13th January 1933 — Traffic Act Amendments
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A Résumé of an. Appeal Addressed to the Minister of Transport by the Standing Joint Committee THEMITE Road Traffic Act, 1930, constituted an attempt to the mass of rules and Orders which existed Previously, apart from introducing certain new methods of control. Experienee has shown the need for its revision, and the Standing Joint' Committee of Mechanical Road Transport Associations has addressed a memorandum to the Minister of Transport.

The committee consists of the Commercial Motor Users Association Electric Vehicle Committee of Great Britain, Furniture Association, and Removers Association, Man sion House Association on Transport, National Road Transport Employers Federation, National Traction Engine Owners and Users Association, Omnibus Owners Association, Scottish C.M.U.A., Showmen's Guild of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Steam Cultivation Development Association.

Speed Limits.

The committee refers the Minister to his letter of January 27, 1932, in which he stated that the question of simplifying the speed schedule to the Road Traffic Act was under examination, and asks that the Minister shall submit his proposals to the committee.

To encourage the use of pneumatics on commercial motors, the Minister is urged to amend regulations Nos. 58, 59 and 60 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1931, to give an increase of 2 tons in the permissible laden weight of vehicles with pneumatics, viz., a fourwheeler from 12 tone to 14 tons; six-wheeler, 19 tons to 21 tons ; more than six wheels, 22 tons to 24 tons ; vehicle and trailer, 22 tons to 24 tons.

Attendants.

Difficulties are experienced in relation to section 17 of the Act requiring a person in addition to the driver for a tractor and trailer. It is urged That such vehicles should be exempt if the driver be able to operate the brakes of loth. It is often impossible for an additional person. to .be carried on a tractor, and impossible upon a trailer without considerable structural alterations to the machine and risk of injury to the person; the driver invariably is able • to operate both sets of brakes ; the presence of a second person is unnecessary ; enforcement of the section is resulting in tractors being replaced by horsed transport, thereby increasing traffic congestion.

The Minister is asked to -provide for an increase from 15 ft. to 20 ft. in the length of a tow rope or chain.

Width of Vehicles and Trailers.

Amendment is desired of Regulations 31, 39 and 51, to permit an increase in the width of a motorcar from 7 ft. 2 ins. to 7 ft. 6 ins., and in the width of a heavy motorcar or trailer from 7 ft. 6 ins, to 8 ft., for the following reasons: public service vehicles of light design weighing under 2i tons are restricted to 7 ft. 2 ins, width—they should not be penalized by reason of their light weight ; it will be impossible to convert many trailers to pneumatics unless a width of 8 ft. be permitted. Exemption is made for vehicles registered on or before January 1, 1932, whereby the width of 7 ft. 6 ins. may be exceeded by 6 ins. where -the excess is caused by the conversion.

• Tyres.

The Minister is urged to amend regulations 35, 42 and 55 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1931, to provide that in existing vehicles with soft tyres it shall not be necessary for pneumatics to be fitted, these vehicles, being electrics, low-loaders, and furniture trailers.

It is impossible to fit pneumatics to many low-loaders owing to the small wheel diameter, although they are an advantage for many purposes ; public-health services, conveyance of cable drums, delivery under low gateways, simplifying delivery where hand labour has to be employed, etc.

Apart from steel-tyred pantechnicons, the furnitureremoval industry uses a considerable number of trailers equipped with soft tyres specially designed for furniture. They are particularly for removals in urban areas. Sanction to construct after January 1, 1933, trailers equipped with soft tyres would avoid dislocation. Pneumatic-tyred vehicles would not be suitable and would be uneconomic, being stationary 80 per cent, of the time.

The committee asks for the exemption of broken-down towed vehicles from the requirements of the regulations in respect of brakes and attendants.

There is a request for an increase of the ground clearance of 9 ins, for guard rails on public service vehicles, as many hump-back bridges have to be negotiated.

Conveyance of Abnormal Loads.

The committee asks the Minister to amend the Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) Order, No. 1, 1931, to permit 24 hours' notice—or in the case of emergency or special circumstances arisine' in the course of a journey, as soon as possible—instead of the present four days, to be given to highway, bridge and police authorities ; two persons only, instead of the present four, to he in attendance when the vehicle or load exceeds 9 ft. instead of 8 ft.

It is difficult and often impossible to arrange for abnormal indivisible loads so that the required notices may be given. Heavy machinery, particularly electrical, has to be moved without notice when required, owing to urgent breakdown jobs. Manufacturers are often called upon, at short notice, to deliver heavy propellers to ships in docks—failure to deliver to time means heavy deck charges.


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