More Restrictions on Projecting Loads
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THE Minister of Transport is making a new onslaught on large and projecting loads. In May he issued proposals to place additional controls on loads between 14 ft. and 20 ft. wide and more than 80 ft. long. Last week he circulated a draft of fresh Construction and Use Regulations dealing with other awkward loads.
They also tighten up the law on the security of loads to safeguard drivers against being crushed in their cabs through loads moving forward during braking. Increases in the maximum permissible overhang of vehicles represent another proposed change.
" The draft regulations result from " the increasing traffic difficulties associated with the movement of large and projecting loads to the use, on occasion, of unsuitable vehicles for the carriage of such loads, and to the number of accidents caused by projecting loads and engineering equipment, such as mobile cranes."
Under the proposals circulated in May, Ministry approval would have to be obtained to move any load more than 80 ft. long and 14 ft. wide, or engineering plant weighing more than 150 tons, or measuring over 80 ft. long and 20 ft. wide. Where a combination of vehicle and trailer or its load exceeded 75 ft. long (50 ft. in the case of a solo vehicle), two clear days' notice of the movement would have to be given to-the police, and an attendant in addition to the driver or drivers would have to be carried. The speed limit on special-type vehicles would be raised from 5 m.p.h. to 12 m.p.h.
According to the draft Construction and Use Regulations, a load, other than one that is indivisible or consists of loose agricultural produce, will still be restricted to a maximum width of 9 ft. 6 in., and an overhang to either side of not more than 1 ft. will be permitted. The present conditions applying to indivisible loads between 9 ft. 6 in, and 14 ft. wide will remain.
Three Warning Plates
New provisions will cover other projecting loads. Where a load extends between 6 ft. and 10 ft. to the front, an additional attendant must be carried, and at least three warning plates must be exhibited. These must be not less than 2 ft. square with red and white stripes 4 in. wide. One of the plates must face the front on the end of the load, and the others must face the sides. At night they must be illuminated by shaded lights.
A rearward projection between 3 ft. 6 in. and 10 ft. must be made clearly visible to the rear and from each side, although the precise method of doing so is not defined.
Where a load overhangs more than 10 ft. to the front or rear, two days' notice of the movement must be given to the police, an additional non-driving attendant must be carried and the warning plates must be exhibited. The side plates on the front projection must not be more than 8 ft. apart, but in the case of a rear overhang exceeding 14 ft, the interval is increased to 12
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Straddle carriers are omitted from these provisions and are dealt with separately.
Any vehicle or load exceeding 40 ft. long must be accompanied by a mate.
In the case of straddle carriers, unless the movement is merely between neighbouring private premises, the greatest permissible projection to the front is 6 fr. and to the rear 10 ft., and the length of vehicle and load must not exceed 40 ft. Any rear overhang of more than 3 ft. 6 in. must be clearly indicated. Two days' notice must be given to the police and a mate has to be carried if the overall length exceeds 40 ft. Speed is limited to 12 m.p.h. Trailers may not be drawn.
If a special appliance on a vehicle, such as a crane, projects between 6 ft. and 10 ft. to the front, a mate must be carried, and red and white warning signs must be exhibited. Where the rear projection of the equipment is between 3 ft. 6 in. and 10 ft., it merely has to be made clearly visible. If the front or rear overhang of the appliance is more than 10 ft., two days' notice of the movement must be given to the police, a mate must be carried and warning signs displayed.
No special marking is required for loads that project to the front or rear over other attached vehicles.
Vehicles or trailers for fire-brigade, ambulance, police or defence purposes, or used in the removal of obstructions to traffic, are exempt if compliance _with the regulations would hinder their work, The law on the security of loads is to be reinforced. A load must be secured to prevent not only its falling into the road but also its movement fore and aft, such as when the brakes are applied.
Maximum overhang of vehicles up to 20 ft. long overall is to be increased by 9 in.. and of longer vehicles by 15 in., provided that it does not exceed 7/24 of the overall length.
Interested organizations have until October 21 to submit their observations.