C.M.U.A. ACTIVITIES.
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A Brief Commentary on Some of the Useful Work Which is Being Carried Out by the Association.
THE COMMERCIAL 'VEHICLE trade in general, although all its members are not cognizant cof the fact, is greatly indebted to ,theCommercial Motor Users Association for the work which this body has done in the past, and is doing now, in obtaining recognition of the rights of all users of commercial motor vehicles, whether they be parcel cars, lorries, or chars-a-bancs.
The commercial motor trade, and particularly that section devoted to the running of motor coaches, is hampered by a considerable number of irritating regulations, and that many of these have been modified is greatly due to the representations made by the C.M.U.A., whose committees are always considering methods for assisting the trade in general, quite apart from the legal and other assistance given to its members in particular.
Recently, the C.M.U-.A. has been endeavouring to obtain concessions regarding the axle weights and total .weights of commercial motor vehicles, and we have no doubt that it is through its efforts that a suggestion is being put forward that the axle of a vehicle fitted with steel-shod wheels 3 ft. 6 ins, in diameter should have a maximum weight of 9 tons, or 91 tons if the wheels be 3 ft. 9 ins, in diameter. If rubber tyres are fitted, with 3 ft. 6 in, diameter wheels the maximum weight should be 6-i tons, and with aft, 0 in. wheels 10 tons. If the present recommendation receives official sanetion the permissible total load weight will also be increased from 12 to 14 tons, or, complete with trailer, to 22 tons, and this with no control of the axle weights as regards distribution of the load, except that none of these weights may exceed the figures already given.
The Range of Work is Very Comprehensive.
The activities of the Association are widespread, and range from the sending of arepresentative to demonstrations of mud splash guards (the latter, incidentally, at the instigation of Irish members, as in that country great difficulty is experienced owing to the regulations in force there regarding the 'fitting of these guards) to the carrying of an extraordinary traffic test action to the House of Lords at a cost of £15,600.
To assist those members who wish to take motor vehicles out of the country to work in foreign countries without the necessity for paying duty on them, the Association has recently obtained permission for .its members to do this by lodging drafts on their bankers. This concession has already been obtained in connection with France, and it now also covers Belgium.
The Association has recently taken up the question of incompetent driving, and, although it does not _recommend technical examination of drivers by the police, it proposes to extend its own examination throughout the country. The anomaly which permits a lad of 17 to drive a char-a-bancs when the latter is on private hire, whilst, if plying for hire, it cannot be driven by a driver under the age of 21, is also under consideration, as is the question of the driver's pbysi calfitness. , A considerable amount of work is being done for the char-h-loancs section, chiefly with regard to combating applications of local authorities for the closing of certain roads which, in the opinion of the Asseciation, is not justified. The Association is opposed to' any restrictions of traffic on first and second-class roads, and only on third-class roads with the approval of a joint panel of users and local authoritaes. Where necessary, it agrees with the system of one way traffic, although, where possible, it recommends widening these roads and the making of passing places, which would render the one-way restriction quite unnecessary.
Some concessions have been obtained from the Ministry of Transport as regards the new taxation. With vehicles fitted with special bodies, ainemas, cranes, etc., which weigh more than 7i tons, the unladen weight will be taken as 71 tons only, however much this is exceeded within the limits imposed by the axle and total weights. Another important concession is that. when relicensing a vehicle, the owner's declaration as to axle and total weights will be accepted for the first few months, although after that time checking of these weights may be put into operation.
Main and Secondary Roads.
It was pointed out during a recent meeting that chaiaa.-bancs owners are conferring a benefit on the public by fostering the use of secondary roads, and thus causing considerable attention to be drawn to this important matter: That it is important is shown by the fact that there are something like 25,000 miles of main roads and 125,000 miles of secondary roads. The problem of keeping the latter in proper condition has never yet been tackled satisfactorily, and more damage'lis done to vehicles by travelling short distances over these than by doing much longer journeys on main roads, which are kept in comparatively good condition.
The width of steel tyres on heavy commercial vehicles is a matter' of importance and we understand that, owing to representations made by the C.M.U.A., the question of limiting the maximum width of steel tyres to 10 ins, is being considered, and is likely to • be approved. This, of course, does not otherwise
affect existing practice ; the width normally depends upon the load and the diameter of the wheel, and only. those -wheels which would otherwise be called upon to be provided with tyres over 10 ins, wide are affected.
The question of providing efficient lights for cattle, sheep, etc., when these are driven on the roads has received special consideration from the Association, and we understand that the final settlement will be that lights will he necessary while they are being driven on first and second-class roads, but not on other roads in rural areas. 'The whole matter has, however, been deferred until the classification of the roads has been finally settled by the Ministry of Transport.
The C.M.U.A: Parades.
Whilst dealing with the activities of the Association; we must not forget the C.M.U.A. Parades. That for London will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, 1921, and its location will depend upon tbe number of entries received ; it is again being limited to teams of six vehicles, although the number of prizes will be considerably increased.. In addition to the London Parade, similar parades will be held next year in every C.M.U.A. Division. The examinations for the Provinces will allbe held on the same evening during the last week in April. The examination questions will be sent down from London, and the papers completed by the entrants will be returnel to London for marking, in order to ensure uniformity in this important work
Owing in the difficulty of arranging for oral examinations n the provinces, these. will, in future, be
discontinued. .