Equipment, Weights and Sizes of "International" Vehicles
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It/TORE details are now available of IVA. the proposed new convention which will be considered by a World Road Conference to be held in August.
On the question of vehicle equipment, it is proposed that two passing lights should be fitted, and two red rear reflectors, irrespective of the number of rear lights. Trailers should have two red rear reflectors and a stop light, and the brakes should be fitted with an automatic device to stop the trailer if it should break loose.
To meet the objections of the United Kingdom experts on these points, it was suggested that the World Conference might agree to waive certain of these provisions in respect of 'vehicles already in circulation. In any case, they would apply to British vehicles only when taken on to the Continent.
Dimensions and Weights Another matter left over for further discussion at the World Conference was that of maximum dimensions and weights. Here are some of the suggested figures (not acceptable at present to the U.K. Government):—Width, 8 ft. 21 ins.; height, 11 ft. 6 ins.; length, with two axles, 32 ft. 9-.1ins.; with three or more axles, 36 ft. 1 in.; articulated vehicles, 45 ft. 11 ins. Maximum permissible weight on the most heavily loaded axle, 10 tons; with two axles, 15 tons; with three axles, 20 tons; with four or more axles, 22 tons; articulated vehicles, 20 tons; combination of vehicles, 32 tons.
The U.K. experts expressed the opinion that they doubted whether a width of 8 ft. 2-i ins, would be acceptable in the foreseeable future.
The draft convention will enable foreign commercial vehicles to be temporarily imported into this country free of import duties and taxes. It would not relieve foreign commercial-vehicle operators of the need to comply with our licensing laws. British commercial vehicles would benefit equally when travelling abroad.
. The draft convention is intended to enable goods to be transported in approved vehicles from one country through another to a third country without full Customs examination at frontiers, or payment of duty in intervening countries. It should be of great assistance to international trade on the Continent and, although it is not applicable within the United Kingdom, it may be possible for Britain to accede to. it in respect of vehicles going abroad.
OBITUARY lyr regret to announce the death of VV MR. KARL BROZYNA. M.I.MECH.E., M.INST.MET., M.S.A.E. (U.S.A.), DR. ENG. (Vienna), head of the research department of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd. He was 70, and joined the Austin company in June, 1914. He was a brilliant engineer and metallurgist, and he won the Crompton Medal for a paper on cylinder material and finish, presented in 1936 to the Institution of Automobile Engineers . We also regret to record the death of MR. C. S. PERCY, for many years before his retirement in 1943 western sales manager of Leyland Motors, Ltd.
SALESMAN FOR COMPONENTS
A MANUFACTURER of passenger/Avehiele components requires an energetic man with initiative and experience as exclusive sales representative to cover the United Kingdom. An arrangement with someone already representing another company with non-conflicting products might be considered. Letters should be addressed " Representative,' care of the Editor.