DTC rejects the wheel defence
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• Scottish hauliers are unlikely to be able to use the "wheelloss phenomenon" in future to explain away wheel-loss incidents, Scottish Deputy Traffic Commissioner Richard McFarlane made that plain during disciplinary proceedings involving Coatbridge-based Brian Smith.
After hearing that a number of prohibition notices imposed on Smith's vehicles related to wheel security, the Deputy IC said he regularly heard about wheel-loss and there was a time when he gave considerable weight to the concept of "lost-wheel syndrome".
However, his view was changing and having read a considerable number of recent articles in trade journals and listened to evidence at a number of public inquiries, he was beginning to conclude that wheels invariably became detached because the surface between the wheel and hub was not as clean as it should be and/or proper and continuing attention was not given to the tightness of the wheelnuts.
However, he expressed concern about the evidence of fracturing wheels. As this was well known, he said, the industry must be alert to the problem and ensure that greater vigilance and attention was given to susceptible wheels.