An Open Mind Needed
Page 28
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A LTHOUGH Mr. Harold Watkinson, Minister of Transport, has changed his mind and decided generally to ban abnormal indivisible loads from the new Preston by-pass—which, when it is opened in November, will be Britain's first motorway—his decision is not irrevocable. He has agreed to allow a limited number of special-type vehicles to use the road on occasions so that the effect on traffic flow may be observed. It is likely that his fears will be proved groundless, for, given an adequate width of road and efficient escorts, there is no reason why an abnormal load should cause undue dislocation of traffic on roads with dualcarriageways. In any event, the regulations that have been made to govern the use of the by-pass are ' purely experimental and are of only a year's duration. They form merely the foundation upon which permanent • rules for sub sequent motorways will be based, and experience will probably suggest a number of improvements.
A gratifying feature of the new regulations is the absence of a speed limit on commercial vehicles. including trailer outfits other than vehicles towing trailers with fewer than four wheels or with close-coupled axles, which will be limited to 40 m.p.h. For all practical purposes, commercial vehicles, including articulated outfits, will be able to travel unhindered.
The code to be published for the guidance of drivers using motorways will be of great importance. Unless the special technique required in driving on high-speed roads is fully understood, there may be many serious accidents. In. particular, a new standard of estimation of speed of other traffic will be required and there will be little margin for error. This implies good rearward vision and intelligent use of mirrors.