AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Special Types and C & Regs changed

2nd July 1971, Page 21
2nd July 1971
Page 21
Page 21, 2nd July 1971 — Special Types and C & Regs changed
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Amendments to the Special Types Order which come into force on July 14 1971 will enable two abnormal loads to be carried on special types vehicles provided that the gross weight does not exceed 75 tons and the addition of the extra load does not increase the total width of the load above 9ft 6in. or the total length above 60ft.

Other changes also taking effect on July 14 will enable combine harvesters and dump trucks to travel at 12 mph regardless of their width and a change has been made in the requirements for statutory attendants on wide vehicles so that whether the vehicle operates under C and U Regulations or the Special Types Order an attendant will only be required where the width of the vehicle or its load exceeds 3.5 metres (approximately lift 6in.). When vehicles with loads exceeding this width travel in convoy, attendants will only be required on the first and last vehicles in the convoy.

The maximum permitted axle weight for . dump trucks has been increased from 15 tons to 22+ tons and their maximum permitted gross weight increased from 25 tons to 50 tons.

Police have been given powers to temporarily halt vehicles travelling under the Special Types Order in the interests of road safety and to avoid undue traffic congestion. Existing police powers under the Road Traffic Acts do not cover these cases.

The maximum length of a vehicle or vehicles carrying an abnormal indivisible load which is restricted to 90ft will not, in future, have to include the length of the tractive unit in the case of an articulated vehicle or the towing vehicle in other cases.

Where a vehicle of a gross weight in excess of 32 tons breaks down on a bridge the driver must attempt to get the vehicle clear of the bridge and if he is not able to do so the bridge authority must be contacted before concentrated loads (such as jacking) are imposed on the bridge. Advice should be sought from the authority on the use of spreader plates to reduce the possibility of damage.

A change has been made in the definition of engineering plant so that vehicles which lift and move excavated materials such as scrapers and digger loaders come within the definition.

The changes are contained in The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (Amendments) Order 1971 SI 980 available from HMSO price 74-p.

Amended C and U Regulations under the title The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1971 come into effect on July 7 1971.

The principal changes include the new definition of engineering plant incorporated in the amended Special Types Order and requirements that seat-belts, where they are required to be fitted, must be designed to provide restraint for the upper and lower parts of the trunk of the wearer in the event of an accident. The amended regulations also specify details of the way in which seat-belts can be put on by the wearer, fastened, stowed and adjusted.

Broken-down vehicles carrying passengers may be towed at speeds not exceeding 30 mph provided a rigid drawbar is used.

Three-wheeler seat-belts

• Seat-belts must be fitted in three-wheeled vans (between 5 and 8cwt) first used on or after September 1 1970, according to new regulations laid before Parliament last week. And anchorage points which comply with British Standard BS AU 48:1965 must be provided on these vehicles from October 11972.

Tags

Organisations: Existing police
Locations: anchorage

comments powered by Disqus