Lorry Brake Fault Concerns Magistrates
Page 39
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
CONCERN that a fault, which could be traced only by an expert, might develop in the braking system of new lorries, was expressed by South Lonsdale magistrates last week.
The court had heard Mr. Robert Hudson, a vehicle examiner for the North Western Licensing Authority, give evidence that a defect was caused in the braking system of a lorry, bought for 1:1,444 only 13 months ago, through a piece of rubber hose being flattened. Mr. Hudson added that the manufacturers were aware of the fault and had taken steps to ensure it did not happen again.
Before the court was Mieczyslaw Marian Lewandowski, a haulage contractor, of Granby Avenue, Layton, Blackpool. He was summoned for using a lorry with a part of the braking system not maintained in good and efficient working eider.
P.C. Fletcher said he tested Lewandowski's lorry and found that at 20 m.p.h. the braking distance was 65 ft. The Highway Code gave the stopping distance as 40 ft.
Mr. Hudson said that when he examined the braking system he found constant action of the vacuum had caused a rubber hose to go flat. The hand brake moved about 12 notches on the ratchet. instead of the normal six. before being fully applied. Replying to Mr. E. G. Hallam, for the defendant (who had pleaded not guilty), Mr. Hudson agreed that the vehicle was new and was in a good state Of maintenance. He admitted that there were other vehicles on the road just over a year old which could have the same complaint.
Lewandowski said the hand brake had been adjusted to the position in which Mr. Hudson found it at the garage. He serviced the vehicle himself every week, but did not know of any defect in the rubber hose. After Mr. Hudson had pointed out that it was flat, a spring was inserted.
Fining Lewandowski 10s., the chairman said: "There is some occasion for concern to learn a braking system, particularly on heavy lorries, is constructed so a fault, as reported here, can develop and no one other than an expert knows about it. If that be true we have a tremendous number of vehicles on the road that might very easily be the cause of a serious tragedy."