Zigzag dangers
Page 61
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by Les Oldridge, ung (CE!), MIMI, AMIRTE THE Pedestrian Crossing Regulations 1971, which brought into use the now familiar zigzag lines on the road on both sides of the actual crossing, this part of the carriageway being known as "a zebra-controlled area."
Regulation 12 provides that with minor exceptions, a vehicle must not be stopped in this controlled area. The Regulation does not apply to a pedal cycle even if lit is motor assisted. The other exceptions are contained in Regulation 14 and are as follows :
(a) Where the driver has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross, (b) Where he is prevented from proceeding by circumstances beyond his control or if it is necessary for him to stop to avoid an accident.
(c) Where the vehicle has stopped for so long as is necessary to be used for fire brigade, ambulance or pole purposes or in connection with any building operation, demolition or excavation, the removal of any obstruction to traffic, the maintenance, improvement or reconstruction of that length of road, or the laying, erection, alteration; repair or cleansing of any traffic sign or sewer or any main, pipe or apparatus for the supply of gas, water or electricity or any telegraph or telephone wire, cable, post or support if the vehicle cannot be used for such purpose without stopping on the controlled area.
(d) where a vehicle is stopped in order to make a left or righthand turn.
(e) A stage or express carriage not on an excursion or tour which stops in the controlled area after having passed over the crossing itself for the purpose of enabling passengers to board or alight from the vehicle.
There is no exemption for vehicles loading or unloading, however heavy or bulky the load may be.
Regulation 10 makes it an offence to overtake either a stationary or moving vehicle in the controlled area approaching a pedestrian crossing. With regard to the rule concerning the overtaking of stationary vehicles, if more than one vehicle is stationary at the crossing it is permissible to overtake all the vehicles except the one nearest the crossing (always providing, of course, that this can be done with safety, otherwise a charge of careless or dangerous driving may arise). In other words on a road with two traffic lanes approaching a pedestrian crossing, if there is a queue of traffic waiting in the nearside' lane to allow a pedestrian to cross, it is permissible for a driver to overtake these vehicles on the offside provided he does not overtake the foremost vehicle.
In one-way streets with a street refuge or central reservation, the parts of the crossing on each side of the refuge or central reservation are treated as separate crossings. In this case the ban on overtaking does not apply to overtaking a vehicle which has stopped to allow pedestrians to cross on the other side of the refuge or reservation from which the overtaking vehicle is travelling. This variation does not permit the overtaking of a moving vehicle. It is permissible to overtake a vehicle in the controlled area after having crossed over the zebra crossing itself; that is as one leaves the hazard,
Precedence
Pedestrians on "zebra" crossings have precedence over any vehicle and drivers must accord such precedence to foot passengers. The interpretation of this rule by the courts is very strict. In Scott v Clint CLY 2801, for example, a lorry was travelling at between 15 and 20mph and the driver was unable to avoid colliding with a child who stepped on to the crossing without looking to the right when he was only 10 yards away. He was found guilty of failing to give precedence to the pedestrian.
More about pedestrian crossings next week. SO FAR, the emphasis has been on the vehicles involved in long-distance haulage. But the preventive maintenance programme must also be applied to the delivery vans and shorthaul trucks.
These vehicles may not cover such a big mileage, nor at such high speeds, but they are more lightly built than the big trucks, and are worked very hard. Dften, they only come into the workshop at the end of the working day, and are worked on in overtime, which makes communication between the driver and workshop staff diffi Some parts of the local vehicles come in for more stick than others. For example, if a vehicle makes 40 calls a day, the handbrake may be operated, and the door slammed 80 times a day. Then, the starter will come in for a lot of use, while the engine is certain to be left idling when it shouldn't be. If the engine is left idling while a call is made, the oil is likely to be contaminated badly, while there is the chance of excessive vibrations causing vital nuts to loosen.
It is also very difficult to maintain any driver interest in the local vehicles. Both the drivers of the artics and the workshop staff have a tendency to look down on these smaller vehicles, while drivers are more likely to be switched from vehicle to vehicle. As a result, the drivers are unlikely to 'report defects unless they are 'serious, or they are encouraged to do so.
Often, no sooner has one of these maids of all work appeared in the depot than it is sent out again, and this is another reason why the fleet engineer is going to be hardpressed to put across the message that preventive maintenince is just as important on a local vehicle as on a trunker.
But a preventive maintenance programme must be started, and, as a general rule, monthly intervals between services are acceptable on these vehicles— unless they cover very big mileages, and, of course, this
Rear doors
Special attention must also be given to the door locks and hinges—not forgetting the rear doors on vans. Mirrors and the corners of the vehicles are also bound to come in for rough treatment, while the steps and seats come in for a pounding as well.
Once this situation is under monthly control, the next step is to create some driver interest, so that defects will be reported. One way of doing this is to start a regular vehicle washing schedule—this will do a lot for the company's image. but will make drivers feel that their vehicles are important.
A defect reporting routine must be established, and the importance of getting faults put right must be put over to the traffic staff. Once again, it's a question of education, but don't underestimate the value of the vehicle washing programme. Next week: Tackling tatty tippers.