Q A normal 14-ton-gross vehicle may be
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examined and have its brakes tested to as-new perfection so that they can stop the vehicle and the load, yet as soon as the vehicle comes on to the road its operator can legally attach a towbar and tow a second lorry, either empty or loaded. As on many occasions the engine of the vehicle being towed is out of action, leaving one with the handbrake operating on the rear wheels only, surely this makes a nonsense of braking power per wheel and so on? This can be very dangerous when it comes to an emergency stop. What is the legal situation?
AIt is difficult to see how such a situation
can be avoided, especially as there will be times when the very reason why a vehicle is being towed is because the brakes are faulty. However, the towing and towed vehicles would still be covered by the general requirement of regulation 76 (Para 1 and 3) of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1969, to the effect that a motor vehicle must not be used so that it causes or is likely to cause danger to any person on the vehicle or using the highway.