Reducing Jack-knifing B ETTER braking distribution was unlikely to be the
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complete answer to the jack-knifing of articulated vehicles said the Minister of Transport in the Commons this week, and further investigations were proceeding. These were taking place at the Motor Industry Research Association and the Road Research Laboratory, with the co-operation of the manufacturers.
Mr. Fraser, who had been questioned about progress in the reduction of jackknifing, pointed out that on some models this tendency had already been improved by better braking distribution. He added that much, of course, depended upon how vehicles were loaded and driven.
Mr. John Farr (Tory, Harborough), who had raised the matter, also asked for the number of artics in use and how many had been involved in accidents. Mr. Fraser could give only the 1962 figure when, he said, it was estimated that 55,000 goods vehicles—four per cent of the total number in use—were articulated.
Information showing the proportion in accidents involving goods vehicles was not at present available, but it was planned to collect it from 1966 onwards.