DRIVEN TRAILERS
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• The Department of Transport has issued a consultation document asking for comments on its planned changes to the C and U regulations, to include a semi-trailer with its wheel driven from the tractive unit in the interpretation of "semitrailer". This will allow the road use of vehicles such as the Multidrive permanentlyengaged trailer axle drive system (CM May 24).
The DTp wants to tighten up the classification of such trailers and says that the most direct way of clarifying the position is to amend the definition of "semi-trailer" to include a reference to a vehicle which has its wheels driven by the drawing vehicle. Draft regula lion 3 adds the proposed wording to that interpretation.
According to the Department of Transport, "When such an articulated vehicle turns, the driving shaft can come close to the outer edge of the semi-trailer. Draft regulation 5 requires that all such semi-trailers, without exception, should be fitted with sideguards to shield the shaft, as well as providing the normal protection to pedestrians."
Any comments on the draft amendments should be sent to R Shiers in room C19/15 at the DTp, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3ER, before January 8, 1987.