Stop lamps, reflectors new rules
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• It will be obligatory to fit stop lamps to most vehicles under draft regulations which the Minister of Transport has circulated to interested organisations for comment.
Subject to a few exceptions, the regulations will require all vehicles first registered before September 1, 1970, to be fitted with at least one red stop lamp. All new vehicles first registered after that date must have at least two red stop lamps which work at a dual level of intensity and comply with an international standard.
Dual intensity lamps enable a brighter light to be given in the daytime—when greater brilliance is needed—and less dazzle at night. Amber coloured stop lamps will no longer be permitted as this colour is now used for direction indicators.
The proposed exemptions from the regulations include tractors and other slow-moving vehicles, and vehicles registered before January 1 1936.
Mr. Richard Marsh, also proposes amendments to the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, 1964, which will require new vehicles (first registered after July 1 1970) to be fitted with improved rear reflectors. The regulations also require all ttailers and semi-trailers to be fitted with specially designed triangular reflectors.
The reflectors, which must comply with British Standard AU40 Class I or IA, or with Class 1 of the appropriate International Standard, may now be fitted to any vehicle but will be obligatory on those first registered after July 1 1970.
New trailers and semi-trailers supplied on or after July 1 1970 must be fitted with reflectors which will comply with BS AU40 Class Ill, Class IIIA or Class III of the appropriate International Standard. Trailers and semi-trailers supplied before that date must be fitted with them by July 1 1972.
Under a new amendment to the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1966, any trailer fitted with two of the new reflectors, with a white surround not less than in. wide, will no longer be required to carry trailer plates.
Copies of the Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations, 1968, (S.I.1247) and the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations, 1968, IS.1.1248) can be obtained from HMSO or through any bookseller, priced 9d and 6d respectively.