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n 1 understand that an attic (i.e. tractive
Page 135
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unit and semi-trailer) can be towed after breaking down providing it is unladen. Can you confirm that: (a) laden attics cannot be so towed; (b) that it is not necessary to separate the tractive unit and semi-trailer before towing away after breakdown?
AThe regulation governing the towing of articulated vehicles which have broken down are to be found in Section 69 of the Road Traffic Act 1960.
Briefly, a goods vehicle is permitted to tow only one trailer, and normally when being towed an artic would be reckoned as two "trailers". However, paragraph three of Section 69 states that where an artic has broken down and is being towed by another motor vehicle then the tractive unit and semi-trailer can be considered as a single trailer provided the semi-trailer is unladen. It is not therefore legally necessary when preparing to tow a broken down artic to detach the semi-trailer from the tractive unit.