Dollies to be made legal
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DoE plans to change law to stop 'anomalies' by CM reporter DOLLIES are to be made legal. Moves now under way at the Department of the Environment will result in a change in the law which will permit operators to use dollies—twowheeled trailers with fifthwheel couplings—without running the risk of prosecution. The changes are expected to be implemented later this year and will set weights and braking standards for both dol lies and double-bottoms.
At present operators using dollies linked with semi-trailers to convert them to drawbar trailers face prosecution by the ponce. Last week just such a case was brought against Heatons Transport Ltd. The magistrate chose, however, to treat the dolly and semi-trailer as one vehicle and dismissed the charges. While the case was proceeding trade associa tions were considering a letter from the DoE indicating that it is preparing draft regulations on the subject and asking for their comments.
The DoE began moves to make use of dollies legal earlier this year when it changed the law governing the matter from Section 65 of the 1972 Road Traffic Act to Regulation 136 of the C and U Regulations. The Heatons case—held at Old Street Magistrate's Court—was heard under the Act, however, as the vehicle in question was stopped last year.
The haulage company had been summoned for allowing one of its heavy vehicles on the road with more than one trailer; exceeding the permitted length of vehicle; and having one driver without an assistant. The vehicle was stopped in London last year.
Mr Stuart Frost, prosecuting, maintained that the twowheeled dolly, which had its own braking system, and the two-wheeled semi-trailer which was attached to it, constituted two trailers.
Mr Robert Leach, defending, submitted they were one unit for the purposes of the Act. The Magistrate, Mr Ian McLean, agreed
Left. These two ERF vehicles are making a sales tour of the Middle East countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The 42-ton unit on the left is fitted with air-conditioning and other features suitable to the climate, while the dumper on the right is designed for both on and off-road use.