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by Les Oldridge, AIRTE, ANAIMI
The recovery of disabled vehicles (2)
THE TOWING of broken-down articulated vehicles poses some interesting questions, and whether or not they can be recovered while still laden depends into which classification of motor vehicles the towing vehicle falls. The three types of vehicle likely to be used as breakdown wagons are:—
(a) Locomotives, that is vehicles not themselves constructed to carry a load and whose unladen weight exceeds 7+ tons.
(b) Motor tractors, as at (a) but under 7+ tons.
(c) Heavy motor cars or motor cars which themselves are load, carrying (heavy motor cars are over 3-ton unladen weight and motor cars are under this weight).
Except in special circumstances, referred to below, an articulated vehicle when being towed is considered as two trailers, the motive unit being one and the trailer the other. If the towing vehicle is a locomotive then the artic can be towed while it is laden, as Section 69 of the Road Traffic Act 1960 permits a locomotive to draw three trailers. Regulation 69 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulation 1969 permits a locomotive to draw trailers with a maximum weight of 40 tons and as the present maximum weight for an artic is 32 tons the towing will be in order under this Regulation.
If the towing vehicle is a tractor then since by virtue of Section 69 (1Xb) of the Road Traffic Act two trailers may only be towed if they are unladen, the artic will have to be unloaded before it can be towed.
A heavy motor car or a motor car may normally tow only one trailer but a broken-down artic can • be drawn by a vehicle in this category by taking advantage of Section 69 (3) of the Road Traffic Act which says, in effect, that a broken-down articulated vehicle may be considered as one trailer if unladen.
Combination lengths The overall permitted length of road trains must also be considered. Regulation 108 of the C and U Regulations states that where only one trailer , is drawn the combination of vehicles shall not exceed 18 metres but there is a special exemption for broken-down vehicles being towed. This caters for the heavy motor car towing an unladen artic or a loaded rigid vehicle. Where a locomotive or tractor is concerned, the overall permitted length must not exceed 85ft unless special conditions are complied with and this length seems ample to cover the normal towing job. Incidently the length of the locomotive used for towing must not exceed 30ft.
The distances permitted between motor vehicles and trailers and the markings on trailer connections are dealt with by Regulation 101 of the C and U Regulations. Where a rope or chain is used the length of the rope or chain must be such that the distance between the vehicles is not more than 15ft. Where the distance between the towing and towed vehicle is over 5ft, irrespective of whether rope, chain or rigid bar is used for attaching the broken-down vehicle to the recovery lorry the means of attachment must be rendered "clearly visible". The way in which this is to be done is not specified but a brightly painted bar, say with zebra stripes, a piece of rag tied to the tow rope or , a red rag suspended therefrom would all seem appropriate.
Normally a trailer over 5 metres (16.4ft) long requires amber reflectors on both its sides. There is a special exemption from this requirement if the "trailer" is, in fact, a broken-down vehicle less than 8 metres (26.2ft) long. As motor vehicles under 8 metres do not require side reflectors this is a very useful exemption when the vehicle, by force of circumstances, is turned into a trailer which would normally require side reflectors if over 5 metres.
'On tow' It is common practice to exhibit an "On tow" notice at the rear of the broken-down vehicle being towed. Although this is a sensible and prudent precaution which warns other motorists of the extra length of the vehicle train, there is no requirement in law for the notice to be displayed. The rear number plate on the towed vehicle must be the same as that on the towing vehicle. There is no difficulty where the recovery truck is used under trade plates as the rear plate can easily be removed from the towing vehicle and placed at the rear of the broken-down vehicle. If the breakdown lorry is taxed, then a spare number plate should be carried or the one on it be made easily removable.
Normally a motor vehicle drawing a trailer similar to a broken-down motor vehicle would require an "attendant" in addition to the driver but Regulation 115 of the C and U Regulations makes a special exemption for a broken-down vehicle if it is being towed in such a manner that it cannot be steered with its own steering gear, e.g. with a suspended tow. An attendant is not required, by the same regulation, when an "ambulance" is being towed without a vehicle being carried on it.