Safety First, Comfort Second in New P.S.V. Rules
Page 62
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AS announced in The Commercial Motor last week, revised Conditions of Fitness Regulations have now been issued and are contained in the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) Regulations, 1958, and the Public Service Vehicles and Trolley Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) (Amendment) Regulation, 1958. These are obtainable from H.M. Stationery Office—price 10d. and 3d. respectively—and come into operation on April 11.
Their issue follows considerable discussion, and one of the many purposes has been to ease conditions for vehicles with a seating capacity of not more than 12 passengers with the object of helping transport services in rural areas. The Ministry of Transport state they have accepted a lowering of the standard of passenger comfort but not of passenger safety. .
Whilst the main amendments concern this type of vehicle, the new Regulations cover the Conditions of Fitness for all • buses and coaches used for public transport, and some minor adjustment has been made in respect of all types of vehicle.
Spring Failure
Regarding suspension, it is defined that " every vehicle shall be so constructed or adapted that a failure of a spring, torsion bar or other resilient component of the suspension system is not likely to cause the driver to lose directional control of the vehicle. This does not apply to vehicles registered before April 1, .1959.
Vehicles not exceeding 27 ft. in overall length should be capable of turning in either direction in a swept turning circle not exceeding 65 ft. in diameter or 71 ft. where the vehicle exceeds 27 ft. in overall length_
Exemption from the Regulations 'concerning. minimum clearance includes vehicles registered before January 1, 1933, or with a seating capacity for not more than 12 passengers. Guard rails must be fitted to within 9 in. of the front wheel and 6 in of the rear wheel, and to within 1 ft. of the ground where there is a clear space of more than 2 ft. behind any two wheels on either side.
Greater Side Overhang
A proviso is now included to permit side overhang of not more than 7 in. for vehicles with a seating capacity of not more than 12 passengers, instead of 6 in., which remairis the maximum for vehicles other than those registered on or before December 1, 1932, or those registered after that date and before April 1, 1959, and not used as a stage carriage.
Special consideration is also given in the case of a single-deck vehicle with a seating capacity for not more than 12 passengers in respect of regulations relating to fuel tanks and carburetters.
Concerning entrances and exits, where c24 the seating capacity of a single-deck vehicle or the lower deck of a doubledeck vehicle exceeds 30 passengers, the two required exits shall be not less than 10 ft. apart. If they are not, an additional entrance must be provided at least 10 ft. from one of the two exits. This, however, does not apply to vehicles registered before April 1, 1959.
For vehicles with a seating capacity of not more than 14 passengers, there should be one means of entrance and exit behind the rear wheels but not necessarily on the off side. It is stipulated that where powerassisted doors are fitted, clear provision should be made for them to be opened from the inside. Operation of powerassisted doors must not affect the efficient operation of the braking system of the vehicle. Should the system become inoperative, the doors should be capable of being operated manually both inside and outside.
Between every exit and a gangway, the conditions include that there shall be a passage having a clear height at every point along the centre of the passage of 5 ft. from the deck level. No part of any gangway within 3 ft. of an exit (either than an emergency exit) to which it leads shall be less than lit. 9 in. in width. The width of a gangway shall be not less than 1 ft. up to a height of 2 ft. 6 in. above floor level, 1 ft. 2 in. between 2 ft. 6 in. and4 ft., and 1 ft. 6 in. above 4 ft.
It is required that no seats shall be fitted to any door of any vehicle. Passenger seats shall be so fitted that the distance between back rests and those facing shall be not less than 4 ft. 6 in. for 12-seaters or 5 ft. 3 in. for other vehicles. There must be a clear space above each seat of 3 ft. 2 in. (3 ft. for 12-seaters or below). Comprehensive regulations are now provided specifying the conditions covering drivers' accommodation.
Where vehicles are fitted with a front windscreen for the driver, at least one efficient automatic windscreen wiper shall be fitted and if a demister and defroster device is not fitted, the windscreen shall be capable of being opened. It is not necessary for vehicles carrying 12 passengers or less to be provided with means enabling passengers to signal the driver.
Radio and amplifying control shall not be in such a position that they can be operated by the driver when occupying his seat unless they operate in positively located steps or positions.
Safer Luggage Racks
Luggage racks must be so designed that there is no likelihood of articles being dislodged while the vehicJe is in motion and either falling on the driver or interfering with his control of the vehicle. Lighting systems must comply with the requirements of the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1957.
The Carrying Capacity (Amendment) Regulations prohibit standing passengers on any public service vehicle with a seating capacity for 12 passengers or less which first obtains a Certificate of Fitness on or after April 11, 1958, unless it is specially constructed for the purpose.
This class of vehicle is• further restricted to a maximum of 15 passengers for 12-seaters and proportionately less for small vehicles. Th:s latter condition therefore restricts the proviso whereby three children can be carried on the larger passenger vehicles in lieu of two adults.